Union health minister A Ramadoss told in Lok sabha yesterday that India need a national alcohol policy and he urged all the states to introduce prohibition of Alcohol. He mentioned that states Gujarat and J & K had enforced prohibition of Alcohol so far.

Minister described Alcohol as the mother of all problems. “The four major risk factors which are directly or indirectly responsible for chronic non-communicable diseases are — tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet,” He added

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, he said that more and more youngsters are addicted to alcohol. He pointed this mentioning a survey that revealed that the average age of liquor consumption had come down to 13.5 years from 28 years a few years ago.

He sought the support of MPs in this endeavour, pointing out that chronic diseases account for 55 per cent of deaths in the country and in the next 40-50 years, Indians are expected to suffer more problems like cardiac ailments and diabetes.