The role of alcohol (and particularly heavy alcohol use and having an alcohol use disorder) in NCDs has been given increasing recognition. For example, alcohol was mentioned along with tobacco, diet and lack of exercise, as one of four major common risk factors for NCD in the recent status report of the World Health Organization [38]and by the Lancet NCD action group [39]. It has also been discussed at the recent NGO conference in Melbourne on health and the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) during a session on NCDs, along with tobacco, diet and lack of exercise, alcohol was recognised as one of four major common risk factors [3]. In terms of NCDs, alcohol has been particularly linked to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and liver disease. Preliminary estimates on the impact of alcohol on these diseases support the inclusion of alcohol consumption as one of four major risk factors globally.
