Alcohol remains one of the most under-regulated yet widely consumed substances in India, with devastating consequences. Beyond the social acceptance and state revenue it brings, alcohol is linked to a sharp increase in injuries, mental illnesses, and non-communicable diseases like cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular conditions.

Despite these risks, India lacks a unified national framework to control alcohol production, marketing, and consumption. State governments often treat alcohol primarily as a revenue source, sidelining public health concerns. But it's time for a paradigm shift - from profit-driven licensing to a National Alcohol Control Policy focused on prevention, education, and regulation.

Such a policy should include restrictions on advertising, standardised taxation, age verification, public awareness campaigns, and addiction support services. It’s not about prohibition - it's about protection. With India's youth at increasing risk, the need for action is urgent. Prioritising long-term well-being over short-term gains is the only sustainable way forward.

India must decide: Will it continue to pour from the same bottle, or finally put a cap on the crisis?