Peter Anderson1,2, Antoni Gual3,4,5,6, Jürgen Rehm7,8,9. 1. Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 2. Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 3. Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Institute, Hospital Clinic. 4. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques. 5. August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia. 6. Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RTA - RETICS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. 7. Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 8. Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 9. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the health risks due to exposure to alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine and how these risks might be reduced. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2016, worldwide, alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine were responsible for some 10 million deaths. There is evolutionary and biological evidence that humans are predisposed to consuming alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine - present-day problems are caused by high levels of potency, exposure and drug delivery systems. The two priority substances for action are alcohol and smoked cigarettes; their exposure can be reduced by price increases, setting minimum prices per product, regulating a shift form smoked cigarettes to electronic nicotine delivery devices and, theoretically, reducing the ethanol content of existing beverages. Legalization of cannabis requires a strict regulatory framework. SUMMARY: Purposeful policy can reduce the harm done by alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine. In particular, policy to reduce exposure to alcohol requires considerable strengthening.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the health risks due to exposure to alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine and how these risks might be reduced. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2016, worldwide, alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine were responsible for some 10 million deaths. There is evolutionary and biological evidence that humans are predisposed to consuming alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine - present-day problems are caused by high levels of potency, exposure and drug delivery systems. The two priority substances for action are alcohol and smoked cigarettes; their exposure can be reduced by price increases, setting minimum prices per product, regulating a shift form smoked cigarettes to electronic nicotine delivery devices and, theoretically, reducing the ethanol content of existing beverages. Legalization of cannabis requires a strict regulatory framework. SUMMARY: Purposeful policy can reduce the harm done by alcohol, illegal drugs and nicotine. In particular, policy to reduce exposure to alcohol requires considerable strengthening.
Authors: Jürgen Rehm; Jean-François Crépault; Omer S M Hasan; Dirk W Lachenmeier; Robin Room; Bundit Sornpaisarn Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-04 Impact factor: 3.390