Underage Drinking

Early onset of Drinking is a major public health concern facing countries. Early initiation is considered as a marker of alcohol dependence and other substance abuse in later years of life. Heavy episodic alcohol use (Binge drinking) in adolescence diminishes their educational attainment by affecting brain structure, brain functioning, and neuropsychological performance. Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large. The empirical results obtained in our study suggest that binge pattern of drinking and the spirits contents in the alcoholic beverage exert a positive and significant influence on Alcohol-Attributable Fractions. Factors that interfere with the evidence-based prevention strategies include corporate lobbying, lack of political will, and weak enforcement of public regulations. There is a need for countries to revisit their alcohol control policies and assess the gap between the evidence-based prevention science and implementation in practice.