Published on: 2026-06-26
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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June 26, 2026 Healthcare
Alcohol annually causes approximately 2.6 million deaths worldwide. According to the World Health Organization’s assessment, this is one of the most preventable yet most underestimated health threats in the modern world. The new WHO report shows that countries are gradually moving away from declarations to practical steps and are preparing for the next phase of the global SAFER initiative.
This initiative was launched in 2018 at a United Nations high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases, and then received an official mandate within the framework of the Global Alcohol Action Plan for 2022–2030. Since then, SAFER has become a key WHO platform, uniting the most effective directions in combating alcohol harm — from restricting alcohol availability and tightening measures against drunk driving to regulating marketing, increasing taxes, and implementing innovative treatment systems for dependence.
Progress at the country level
The report emphasizes that real changes have primarily occurred at the country level. Uganda became the first state to officially adopt SAFER as a national platform. In this country, a screening system was implemented, and excise legislation was also updated. In Nepal, the Supreme Court confirmed the legality of a complete ban on alcohol advertising, and local authorities received a direct mandate to control alcohol and tobacco.
Local initiatives
The initiative is increasingly developing at the regional and municipal levels as well. Ireland has become one of the brightest examples: in 2024, the Building SAFER Communities program was launched here, involving almost 190 thousand people. As part of the initiative, local groups develop action plans themselves, conduct training at the university program level, and also use the i-Mark standard, which protects the policy sphere from the influence of the alcohol industry. The Irish experience shows that even in a country with a high level of alcohol legislation, sustainable local implementation is required.
Similar processes are unfolding in other regions as well. In Thailand, new management and control models are being tested in five pilot provinces within the SAFER Province project. In the United Kingdom, the Greater Manchester region has chosen SAFER as the basis of its strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm for the period 2025–2030.
WHO emphasizes that progress is evident, but ahead lies a significant amount of work. Alcohol remains the cause of millions of deaths, and effective measures to combat alcohol dependence are implemented unevenly. The next phase of the SAFER initiative will focus on expanding local programs, strengthening legislation, and protecting policies from industry pressure.
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