Czech doctors, WHO warn: Alcohol kills 7,000 yearly—it's time to act

More than 20 medical and public health organizations, including the Czech office of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Czech Medical Chamber, are calling on the government to tighten alcohol regulations in response to rising health and social costs.

At a press conference Tuesday, health experts warned that alcohol-related illnesses contribute to an estimated 7,000 deaths annually. Officials say excessive drinking is fueling a public health crisis and placing a heavy burden on the economy.

“There are tens of thousands of hospitalizations every year” said the founder of a health policy think tank named Minister of Health. “The costs associated with alcohol use are around CZK 40 to 50 billion each year," they added.

Petr Pleva of the think tank Rational Addiction Policy noted the link between alcohol and domestic violence, stating that most cases involve alcohol consumption. “Despite the fact that alcohol is a de facto hard drug due to its safety profile, it is widely tolerated in Czech society, even when consumed by children,” he said.

According to experts, nearly 90 percent of children try alcohol before age 15—often from their parents—and nearly half of Czech high school students report excessive drinking.

“Alcohol is cheap, widely available, and highly promoted,” said Zsofia Pustaiová, head of the WHO office in Prague. She added that Czech alcohol consumption averages nearly 14.5 liters of pure alcohol per adult per year, far above the European average of 9.5 liters. Czechia has by far the highest beer consumption per capita in the world, at around 185 liters.

The initiative outlined five policy recommendations, including a ban on alcohol advertising online and at sporting events, restrictions on late-night sales and sales near schools or public institutions, and a tax based on the drink’s alcohol content. The appeal also calls for stricter enforcement of existing laws and more public education campaigns.

Czechia is already indirectly discouraging alcoholic consumption following the decision in 2023 to hike its value-added tax rate on draft beer from 10 to 21 percent. Last year, then-national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil said that the state was considering broadcasting alcohol-related ads only after 10 p.m. at night. In future, labels may also include a warning about harmfulness, similar to tobacco packages today.  

Officials presented the appeal to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, key ministries, and the Government Council for Public Health. Other signatories include the National Institute of Mental Health and the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists.