After Cigarettes, Alcohol Has the 'Highest' Consumption in Iran

The latest results from the national survey on the prevalence of addiction in Iran indicate a rise in the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the simultaneous use of multiple substances. IRNA reported on Tuesday, September 5, that the Deputy for Prevention and Addiction of the Welfare Organization announced this in a press conference and elaborated on some of the survey results. Mr. Roshanpazhouh stated that the survey shows that 'smoking' is currently the most common method of drug use in Iran. The Deputy for Prevention and Addiction of the Welfare Organization named cigarettes as the top consumed tobacco product in Iran, with alcohol following in the next rank according to the survey results. Based on the results of this survey, which did not disclose specific statistics, alcohol is the second most consumed substance in Iran after cigarettes. Roshanpazhouh added, 'Given the religious and legal considerations, it was expected that the level of alcohol consumption would be lower, but alcohol consumption in the country was higher than expected.' The consumption of hookah and other substances also ranked in subsequent positions, but no information was released regarding their figures and statistics. Another result of this survey is the spread of the pattern of simultaneous 'poly-substance' use, which this official expressed concern about. Roshanpazhouh said, 'The simultaneous use of alcohol and drugs, as well as the simultaneous use of over-the-counter medications with substances, is concerning.' He also added that the new survey shows 'the age of onset of substance use has decreased in the early decades for both men and women.' According to this official, the prevalence of substance use is higher in the provinces of Khuzestan, Golestan, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchestan compared to other provinces in Iran. This survey was conducted on 61,000 people in the form of 2,300 clusters scattered across Iran, and one of its most important results is the increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Iran. The Mehr news agency also published a report on Tuesday based on cases formed in the specialized children's and adolescents' complex in Tehran, indicating that 'crimes related to alcohol consumption' are the fifth most common crime among children and adolescents. Mohammad Ghadirzadeh, head of the forensic medicine addiction studies group, stated in this report that 'alcohol consumption has increased compared to the past.' Ghadirzadeh added, 'Unfortunately, today we witness the serving of alcoholic beverages at some ceremonies and wedding celebrations, which causes many children and adolescents to become familiar with this type of substance.' Mehr news agency also reported at the end of its report that 'crimes related to alcohol have surpassed those related to drugs' among children and adolescents. According to official statistics in Iran, there are about 130,000 alcohol addicts (one million consumers), 1.5 to 3 million drug addicts (7 to 10 million consumers), and 8.5 to 10 million cigarette addicts (20 million consumers). The punishment for consuming alcoholic beverages in Iran is 80 lashes, and after two executions of this punishment, repeated consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to execution. Despite these restrictions and punishments, reports indicate an annual consumption of about 60 million liters of alcoholic beverages in Iran.