Many surprising things came out in the research of Lancet magazine Nitish Kumar implemented the liquor ban policy in the year 2016Research shows reduction in health and social violence
New Delhi. When Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced prohibition of liquor in the state, a large section of the people came out in his support. It is believed that this step of CM Nitish got full support of women. CM Nitish also had to face political opposition for this step. However, Nitish Kumar did not budge from his decision despite all the opposition. Now the world-renowned magazine Lancet has also acknowledged the strength of his policy. The magazine said that there have been many benefits of prohibition of liquor in Bihar. On one hand there have been health related benefits and on the other hand there has been a decrease in violence.
The ban on alcohol in Bihar in 2016 resulted in a 2.4 million reduction in daily and weekly alcohol consumption. In addition, a 2.1 million reduction in intimate partner violence cases has been reported. This has been revealed in a new study published in ‘The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia Journal’. It says that it is also estimated that this ban has prevented 1.8 million men in the state from becoming overweight or obese.
door to door survey
The team of researchers also included experts from the International Food Policy Research Institute of America. The researchers analyzed the data of health and door-to-door surveys conducted at the national and district levels. The authors of the study said, ‘Strict alcohol regulation policies can be beneficial for the health of many victims of intimate partner violence and alcohol addicts.’ According to the researchers, in April 2016, the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, transportation, sale and consumption of alcohol throughout the state. Its strict implementation has made this ban an attractive natural experiment to estimate the real impact of a strict alcohol ban policy on health and domestic violence outcomes.
Cases of drinking alcohol had increased before the ban
The authors of the study said, ‘Before the ban, alcohol consumption among men in Bihar increased from 9.7 percent to 15 percent, while in the neighboring states it increased from 7.2 percent to 10.3 percent.’ They further said, ‘After the ban, this trend changed and alcohol consumption at least weekly in Bihar declined to 7.8 percent, while in the neighboring states it increased to 10.4 percent.’
A decrease in violence
The team of experts also found evidence of a reduction in physical violence against women in Bihar, and a 4.6 percentage point drop in emotional violence and a 3.6 percentage point drop in sexual violence. The researchers said the results of the study will be important for policymakers considering similar bans in other states in India. They estimated that the ban resulted in a reduction of 2.4 million cases of alcohol consumption, 1.8 million cases of overweight/obesity in men, and 2.1 million cases of intimate partner violence.
Tags: CM Nitish Kumar, Liquor Ban
FIRST PUBLISHED : May 26, 2024, 13:04 IST