One in Three Men in Himachal Consumes Alcohol, NFHS Survey Shows
Nearly one in three men in Himachal Pradesh consumes alcohol, significantly higher than the national average of one in five, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for 2023-24.
The survey, released last month, reveals that 30.2 per cent of men aged 15 years and above in the hill state consume alcohol, compared with the national average of 18.9 per cent. This makes Himachal Pradesh the highest among the three states in the region — ahead of Punjab and Haryana — despite a marginal decline from the previous survey.
In the previous NFHS-5 (2019-21), the prevalence in Himachal Pradesh was 31.9 per cent, indicating a slight dip of 1.7 percentage points. However, the state continues to report the highest alcohol consumption among men in the northern region.
While the survey highlights that Punjab’s alcohol consumption also exceeds the national average, specific figures for Punjab and Haryana were not detailed in the released data. The survey provides crucial insights into health behaviours and outcomes across states.
Experts note that high alcohol consumption is linked to various health risks, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and mental health issues. Public health officials in Himachal Pradesh have been urged to strengthen awareness programmes and regulatory measures to address the prevalence.
