Statistics on alcohol and tobacco consumption and consequences 2023 have been presented
On 30 May 2024, the 2023 statistics on alcohol and tobacco consumption and consequences have been presented at the State Data Agency. The statistical indicators were presented by Inga Masiulaitytė-Šukevič, Deputy Director General of the State Data Agency, and were commented by Žilvinė Našlėnė, Head of the Biostatistic Analysis Division of the Public Health Information Centre of the Institute of Hygiene, and Ignas Rubikas, Head of the Mental Health Division of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania.
According to the data of the State Data Agency, in 2023, compared to 2022, alcohol consumption decreased by 0.2 litres. In 2023, absolute (100 per cent) alcohol consumption per resident aged 15 and older amounted to 11 litres.
Retail sales of spirits, fermented beverages and wine decreased by 0.8 and 4.2 per cent respectively, beer – by 6 per cent. In 2023, retail prices of alcoholic beverages grew by 10.6 per cent. The largest price growth was observed for beer produced in Lithuania – 14.7 per cent, imported beer – 13.7 per cent, vermouth – 13.2 per cent, fruit wine – 10.6 per cent, sparkling grape wine – 10 per cent, vodka produced in Lithuania – 9.7 per cent, bitter – 6.8 per cent. The increase in prices of alcoholic beverages was conditioned by a higher excise duty applied since 1 January 2023.
In 2023, imports and exports of wine increased by 0.7 and 5.4 per cent respectively, while imports and exports of beer decreased by 0.7 per cent each. Imports of spirits increased by 20.1 per cent, exports – 35.1 per cent. Imports of fermented beverages decreased by 15.9 per cent, exports – 22.6 per cent.
According to the data of the Institute of Hygiene, in 2023, 27 thousand persons were diagnosed with at least one disease directly linked to alcohol consumption, which is by 2 thousand more than in 2022. Prevalence of alcohol-related diseases was 944 persons per 100 thousand population (in 2022, 885). The most frequent diagnoses were alcoholic dependence (688.1 cases per 100 thousand population), toxic effect of alcohol (150.9 cases per 100 thousand population), alcoholic liver disease (125.2 cases per 100 thousand population) and alcoholic psychosis (82.3 cases per 100 thousand population).
According to the data of the Institute of Hygiene, in 2023, 625 persons died from diseases directly linked to alcohol consumption, which is by 21 less than in 2022. The most frequent alcohol-related diseases were alcoholic liver disease (48.6 per cent), accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol (25.4 per cent), and alcoholic cardiomyopathy (9.4 per cent).
Based on provisional data, in 2023, male mortality due to diseases directly linked to alcohol consumption was 2.3 times as large as female. In 2023, the number of deaths due to alcohol consumption per 100 thousand urban population amounted to 20 (in 2022, 21.3), per 100 thousand rural population – 25.5 (in 2022, 26).
In 2023, consumption of tobacco products per person aged 15 and over was estimated at 1,223 cigarettes purchased in retail trade and catering enterprises (by 2.2 per cent less than in 2022). In 2023, the production of cigarettes decreased by 8 per cent, exports decreased by 11 per cent, imports – 5.7 per cent. In 2023, against 2022, retail prices of tobacco products grew by 6.3 per cent. This was conditioned by a higher excise duty applied since 1 January 2023.
In 2023, 1,497 persons died due to smoking-related malignant neoplasms, which is by 68 persons less than in 2022. Most of them (78.7 per cent) were males. Based on provisional data, in 2023, there were 52.1 deaths from smoking-related malignant neoplasms per 100 thousand population (urban population – 45.7, rural population – 66.1).
Žilvinė Našlėnė noted that although alcohol consumption is declining, morbidity rates are not.
“As mentioned, in 2023, compared to 2022, the number of people who were diagnosed with at least one alcohol-related disease increased by 2 thousand. In terms of trends, the alcohol dependence indicator increased by almost 8 per cent. As statistics shows, the morbidity of men and rural population stands out. The absolute figures in terms of alcohol dependence have also increased – from 18 thousand to almost 20 thousand persons,” the expert said.
Ignas Rubikas drew attention to the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers. “According to the international HBSC survey, which is also carried out in Lithuania, we are one of the leading countries in terms of e-cigarette use among students in grades 5–9. This is a worrying trend,” Ignas Rubikas said.
Changes in the consumption habits of smokers were also discussed. Scientific Report 2021 of the World Health Organisation showed that the chronic disease burden of smokers who switch to smokeless products does not decrease and there is no evidence that new tobacco products help smokers quit.
“We know that dual use is often prevalent – when both traditional and innovative products are used,” shared the expert.
Last updated: 31-05-2024
Related news:
A new admissions data dashboard is being introduced to help evaluate admission opportunities
Presenting the Latest Indicators of Alcohol and Tobacco Use in Lithuania
GDPR Day: Data Protection Starts with Trust
This building on Gediminas Avenue holds more than just statistics