Ramadoss proposes national alcohol policy

NO FIZZ: Union Health Minister says alcoholism is one of the gravest public health care problems.

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Keywords: Anbumani Ramadoss, Alcohol Policy

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Anubumani Ramadoss may be proposing a national policy on alcohol but will alcohol consumers really welcome regulatory policy?

Describing alcoholism as one of the gravest public health care problems, Ramadoss on Tuesday said his ministry would try and propose a national policy on alcohol.

"We're going to persuade a national policy on alcohol. We know it's a state issue. We have a policy and the state has to adopt the policy. We can't just force it but nevertheless we are going to have a policy," the Union Health Minister said.

But the imposition of a national policy for alcohol may not be as easy as it sounds.

Excise on alcohol is one of the largest contributors to state revenue.

According to the Reserve Bank of India aggregate revenue from excise on alcohol for all states for 2007 was Rs 31,578 crore.

With so much money at stake, state governments might try and resist a regulatory policy.

As far as alcohol consumers are concerned not many believe that a regulatory policy was needed.

After asking movie stars to quit smoking on screen, Ramadoss has now shown his disapproval for heroes drinking in movies and portraying it as something glamorous.

The beverage industry is still waiting for the national alcohol policy to materalise before they come out in the defensive.