• Alcohol intake is a significant risk factor for over 200 diseases.

• Even though the levels of alcohol intake in India are lower when compared to other countries, the levels are on the rise.

• In 2016, Bihar initiated the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, which halted the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the state.

• A quasi-experimental study was conducted to understand the effects of this ban on a set of outcomes, including 

1. Weekly alcohol intake

2. Body weight and obesity

3. Noncommunicable diseases such as DM and hypertension

4. Intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women

• The study used data from the National Family Health Survey 3, 4, and 5.

• A difference-in-difference (DID) model was used to compare the outcomes between Bihar and the neighboring states, and a triple difference model (DDD) was used to add the male-female interaction.

• The ban led to the prevention of the following:

1. 2.4 million cases of daily/weekly alcohol consumption.

2. 1.8 million cases of overweight/obesity among males.

3. 2.1 million cases of IPV among females.

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