Who said the State of Kerala is not in the path of sustained growth? Over the last two census periods, liquor consumption in Kerala has grown a shocking 140 percent. As a result, experts say, liver ailments are on the rise in the state. The easy availability and growing social taking of alcohol among all groups, including women and children, has led to increased liquor consumption as well as liver disorders in Kerala. The credit goes not only to Oommen Chandy and company but also for its predecessors.
As one of the most literate states in the country Kerala has the highest rate of consumption of alcohol, alcohol-induced liver diseases like alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis are on the rise, medical reports say. In 1986, the average age of a first time drinker was 19 and it came down to 17 years in 1991 and further came down to an alarming 14 years, in 2007 according to the report. No doubt our Excise Minister and healthcare policymakers will come with flimsy arguments in rescue of the boozers.
K A Solaman
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