Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has recorded one of the sharpest increases in alcohol consumption among men in the country, even as national trends show a decline, according to the latest findings of the National Family Health Survey.
The NFHS-6 report for 2023-24 reveals a significant rise in alcohol and tobacco use among adults in the state, particularly in rural areas, raising concerns among public health experts about the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and high blood sugar.
Alcohol Consumption Among Men Rises Sharply
According to the survey, the proportion of men aged 15 years and above who consume alcohol in Uttar Pradesh increased from 14.5 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 18.7 percent in NFHS-6 (2023-24). The increase of 4.2 percentage points is among the highest recorded in the country and brings the state’s figure in line with the national average of 18.7 percent.
The rise is particularly notable because alcohol consumption among men at the national level has marginally declined from 18.9 percent to 18.7 percent during the same period.
Health experts note that the trend is more pronounced in rural areas, where changing lifestyles, greater availability, and social factors may be contributing to increased alcohol use.
Women’s Alcohol Consumption Remains Stable
Unlike men, alcohol consumption among women in Uttar Pradesh has remained unchanged. The percentage of women aged 15 years and above who reported consuming alcohol stood at 0.3 percent in both NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.
Nationally, however, alcohol use among women declined from 1.3 percent to 1.1 percent, indicating a broader downward trend across the country.
States with Highest Alcohol Consumption
The survey identifies Arunachal Pradesh as the state with the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption among both men and women. Other states with high rates include Telangana, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Among men, alcohol consumption rates stood at:
- Arunachal Pradesh – 50.2%
- Telangana – 43.9%
- Sikkim – 42.2%
- Himachal Pradesh – 30.2%
- Uttarakhand – 27.2%
Tobacco Use Also Increases in Uttar Pradesh
The report also highlights a worrying rise in tobacco consumption among both men and women in Uttar Pradesh, contrary to the national trend of declining tobacco use.
Among women aged 15 years and above, tobacco consumption increased from 8.5 percent in NFHS-5 to 9.6 percent in NFHS-6.
For men in the same age group, tobacco use rose from 44.0 percent to 45.2 percent, suggesting that nearly one in every two adult men in the state consumes tobacco or tobacco-related products.
Rural areas accounted for much of this increase, indicating the need for stronger awareness campaigns and public health interventions.
National Trend Shows Decline
At the national level, tobacco consumption has declined among both genders. The percentage of women using tobacco fell from 8.9 percent to 8.4 percent, while tobacco use among men decreased from 38 percent to 36.3 percent between the two survey rounds.
Public health specialists say the contrasting trend in Uttar Pradesh highlights the need for targeted efforts to curb substance use, particularly in rural communities. They warn that sustained increases in alcohol and tobacco consumption could contribute to a rise in non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.
The NFHS-6 findings are expected to inform future health policies and awareness programmes aimed at reducing addiction-related health risks and promoting healthier lifestyles across the state.
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