Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Second-Hand Drinking As Bad As Second-Hand Smoke

Darpan News Desk IANS, 02 Jul, 2019 08:29 PM

    Just like second-hand smoking, society needs to combat the second-hand effects of drinking as millions of people are suffering alcohol's harm because of someone else's drinking, warn a study led by an Indian-origin scientist.


    An analysis of US national survey data showed that some 21 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men -- an estimated 53 million adults -- experienced harm because of someone else's drinking in the last 12 months.


    These harms could be threats or harassment, ruined property or vandalism, physical aggression, harms related to driving or financial or family problems.


    The most common harm was threats or harassment, reported by 16 per cent of survey respondents, said researchers led by Madhabika B. Nayak of the Alcohol Research Group, a programme of the Public Health Institute in Oakland, California.


    The specific types of harm experienced differed by gender. Women were more likely to report financial and family problems, whereas ruined property, vandalism and physical aggression were more likely to be reported by men.


    There is "considerable risk for women from heavy, often male, drinkers in the household and, for men, from drinkers outside their family," wrote the authors in a paper published in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.


    Additional factors, including age and the person's own drinking, were also important.


    People younger than age 25 had a higher risk of experiencing harm from someone else's drinking.


    Further, almost half of men and women who themselves were heavy drinkers said they had been harmed by someone else's drinking.


    Even people who drank but not heavily were at two to three times the risk of harassment, threats and driving-related harm compared with abstainers.


    "Control policies, such as alcohol pricing, taxation, reduced availability, and restricting advertising, may be the most effective ways to reduce not only alcohol consumption but also alcohol's harm to persons other than the drinker," said Nayak.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Measles Warning Issued For Beijing-To-Vancouver Flight Passengers

    Measles Warning Issued For Beijing-To-Vancouver Flight Passengers
    A person who arrived in the city on Air China Flight CA991 at 9:30 a.m. on March 3 later developed symptoms of measles and was infectious during the flight

    Measles Warning Issued For Beijing-To-Vancouver Flight Passengers

    Nova Scotia Health Officials Say Tattoo, Piercing Equipment Not Properly Sterilized

    Nova Scotia Health Officials Say Tattoo, Piercing Equipment Not Properly Sterilized
    Nova Scotia health officials say people who got tattoos or piercings at a business in Cape Breton could be at risk of contracting a blood-borne illness.

    Nova Scotia Health Officials Say Tattoo, Piercing Equipment Not Properly Sterilized

    Donald Trump In Unusually Calm Debate: 'We're All In This Together'

    Donald Trump In Unusually Calm Debate: 'We're All In This Together'
     A surprisingly civil Republican debate still came with a warning from front-runner Donald Trump to a party that's at war with itself over his insurgent candidacy: "Be smart and unify."

    Donald Trump In Unusually Calm Debate: 'We're All In This Together'

    Quebec Union Seeks Injunction Over Air Canada Maintenance Job Requirements

    Quebec Union Seeks Injunction Over Air Canada Maintenance Job Requirements
    The Quebec Federation of Labour is seeking a permanent injunction to force Air Canada to conduct all of its heavy maintenance of its fleet in the country.

    Quebec Union Seeks Injunction Over Air Canada Maintenance Job Requirements

    Sewer Backup At Winnipeg Building Puts Cancer Scanner Out Of Commission

    Sewer Backup At Winnipeg Building Puts Cancer Scanner Out Of Commission
     Patients who have appointments to get special scans in Winnipeg on Friday and next week will have to be rebooked due a sewer backup.

    Sewer Backup At Winnipeg Building Puts Cancer Scanner Out Of Commission

    Nearly 200 Cases Of Zika In US; Officials Press For Funds

    Nearly 200 Cases Of Zika In US; Officials Press For Funds
    NEW YORK — Nearly 200 cases of Zika infection have been reported in the U.S. — all traced to travel abroad.

    Nearly 200 Cases Of Zika In US; Officials Press For Funds