“Alcohol consumption among teenagers in Brazil is on the rise, according to research”
G1 reports:
“A survey released on Wednesday (24) by UNIFESP in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security points out that alcohol consumption among adolescents has increased, as well as the number of Brazilians who face a disorder due to alcohol abuse. In the general population, there was a drop in alcohol consumption. …
“The 3rd Lenad (National Alcohol and Drugs Survey) was made with 16,608 participants aged 14 years or older, in 2023, from all regions of the country.
“In 2006, 8% of Brazilian adolescents faced alcohol use disorder. This number fell by almost half in 2012 (4.6%), but grew again in 2023 (5.7%).”
“Government spends R$ 19 billion per year on alcohol-related problems, study finds”
SBT News reports:
“Between direct and indirect costs, the Brazilian government spends approximately R$ 19 billion annually on problems related to alcohol consumption, ranging from preventable deaths to productivity losses during sick leave.
“The data is part of the 3rd National Survey on Drug Use by the Brazilian Population, which found that 63.6% of adults have consumed alcoholic beverages. The weekly average recorded is 5.3 drinks per person, with one in three adults consuming more than five drinks on the same day.”
Assessment
Brazil’s 3rd National Alcohol and Drugs Survey reveals a concerning reversal in youth protection.
After alcohol use disorder among adolescents fell from 8% in 2006 to 4.6% in 2012, it has risen again to 5.7% in 2023. More than 340,000 young people now show clinical signs of alcohol use disorder. Meanwhile, among adults who use alcohol, 60.3% consume six or more alcoholic drinks in a single occasion – up sharply from 46.3% in 2012. More than half the population (56%) first used alcohol before age 18.
The survey also quantifies the economic burden of alcohol harm at R$19 billion annually in direct and indirect costs, from preventable deaths to lost productivity. This figure represents resources drained from Brazil’s economy and public services – precious resources that could otherwise fund education, healthcare, and other development priorities.
These findings underscore that Brazil faces a massive and growing alcohol harm, particularly among young people, alongside substantial economic losses. These findings make a clear case for accelerated alcohol policy action.
Evidence-based alcohol policies – especially alcohol taxation – offer proven solutions to prevent and reduce this harm while generating revenue for public health and social programmes. Research shows that young people are particularly responsive to price increases, making taxation especially effective at protecting youth from avoidable harm.