IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention

Alcohol consumption remains a major global public health concern, contributing to more than 740,000 new cancer cases in 2020 and increasing the risk of multiple other health conditions. This publication from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) brings together the work of 20 independent experts who reviewed the latest evidence on how different alcohol policies can reduce harmful consumption at population level.

The handbook assesses a range of policy measures, including taxation and pricing, restrictions on physical availability, controls on alcohol marketing, and comprehensive policy packages. It also reviews health care-based approaches such as screening, brief interventions, and psychosocial or pharmacological treatments. Together, these findings offer a detailed overview of effective strategies that governments can use to lower alcohol-related harm and improve public health outcomes.

Find the handbook here.