Work

The quagmire of alcohol normalization in Nepal: urgent call for a unified alcohol control act

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Alcohol consumption in Nepal is increasingly normalized despite its substantial health harms. This commentary critically examines how Nepal's fragmented regulation, weak enforcement, expanding unrecorded alcohol use, and growing commercial influence have undermined effective control. Drawing on national evidence, behavioral theory, and international experience, it argues that reduction requires enforcement mechanisms integrated with sustained behavior-change interventions, rather than regulation alone. Nepal therefore urgently requires a unified alcohol control bill aligned with country's federal and sociocultural context.

Source: International Health

DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihag021

Authors: Nilam Adhikari, Gampo Dorji

Institutions: B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, World Health Organization

Language: English

Topic: Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,908