The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Western Pacific has launched a new campaign with a simple but powerful message: Alcohol leaves a mark. Behind the laughter and social moments, alcohol continues to exact a silent toll on individuals, families, and entire communities. In 2019 alone, alcohol use caused 2.6 million deaths globally, nearly one in every 20 lives lost. In the Western Pacific Region, the impact is staggering: almost half a million people die each year due to alcohol-related causes, one every minute.

The burden of harm is not equally shared. Young people bear a heavy share of the losses. Nearly one in five deaths among men aged 20 to 29 in the region is linked to alcohol. These are lives cut short and futures lost, with consequences that ripple across generations. Alcohol contributes to more than 200 diseases and injuries, but its harm extends far beyond health. It worsens inequality, fuels violence, and drains economies, hitting hardest those already facing disadvantage.

Yet there is clear evidence on what works. WHO’s “Best Buy” measures – taxation, restrictions on marketing, and limits on availability – are proven to save lives and reduce harm. Viet Nam’s example stands out: after introducing a strict zero-tolerance drink-driving law, the country saw a 30% drop in alcohol-related crashes and a 28% reduction in fatalities. Now, with plans to increase alcohol taxes, Viet Nam is demonstrating what strong political will can achieve. Still, too many countries lag behind as alcohol becomes cheaper, more available, and aggressively marketed, especially to young people and women.

The campaign’s message goes beyond awareness, it calls for accountability. It challenges governments, institutions, and individuals to lead by example. WHO Western Pacific has taken a symbolic step by banning alcohol at all its official events, underscoring that change begins with action.

Find more from WHO Western Pacific (October 2025)