Less liquor, less damage.

Smoking in public places is prohibited in India but some do it in open. The law enforcing agencies often take don’t care stance in such occasions. However, the people have learnt about smoking hazards and its health risk. So they have a wariness to smoke in open. However, this kind of approach is not seen in the use of liquors. Kerala crossed the Rs.100-crore mark in the sale of Indian made foreign liquor during the last Onam period and in this Easter season also the case will not be different. The cash crunchy State coffers eyes at money from liquor sale along with the income from check posts and sale of sands. The sand sale from river plateaus remember us the famous Biblical teaching: “Remember, O man, that you are dust(sand), and unto dust you shall return”.

The illicit liquor and its sale through bars and other private places would estimate another hundred core. The Government that had recognized the health risk of tobacco has failed to take the blow of the ill-effects of liquor use. The Government has not evolved any effective step to create an awareness to reduce alcohol consumption instead permission is given to open more outlets for sale. In toddy shops what is now sold is not pure toddy but chemically poisoned water which is very injurious to health. If smoking brings a person a long term ailment the toddy now sold brings him immediate ailment and permanent handicap. Particularly, the young men are the victim to the evils of liquor consumption as they often find no opening to shed their extra energy. All the play grounds and public places have vanished and there is no space for them to play foot ball or hand ball. The only option for them is to watch live TV cricket in closed rooms and continue intake of liquor profusely.

An added handicap of liquor sale is worst law and order situation which is never a by-product of the smoking habit. The system of promoting liquor sales during Onam, Vishu, Deepavali, Christmas and Easter should be abandoned in the larger interest of society. The government starting rehabilitation centres along with Beverages Corporation outlets is a laughing stock. Consumption of alcohol is undoubtedly damaging to one's health, more damaging than smoking. Besides it consumes more money than that spend for smoking. If Rs 20 is spent for buying cigarettes then Rs 200 is needed for buying liquor. Serving liquor has become a bogus status symbol and is an integral part to societal gatherings. No meaningful awareness against this handicap has been taken by the government.

It is unwise to ban sale and purchase of alcohol as the base of most medicines is alcohol. A meaningful and sincere awareness programme should be envisaged for younger people about the damages done by liquor. If so the rate of crimes, accidents, domestic violence along with health hazards could be reduced.

K A Solaman