Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary could soon be a dry day globally. India has officially proposed at the World Health Assembly in Geneva that October 2, be declared ‘World No Alcohol Day’. Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, who led the Indian delegation attending the WHA, also proposed setting up of a Framework Convention on Alcohol Control similar to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).  The proposal, which has got support from all 11 South-East Asian countries, has been accepted by the assembly. Officials in the Indian delegation told TOI from Geneva that final discussions on the proposal's approval would take place during the Assembly's Executive Body in January 2009. "It could take a year for the proposal to be granted official approval. We are confident that it will go through," a Health Ministry official said.

The proposal came on a day when all 193 WHO member countries signed a resolution to reduce alcohol related harm. WHO will now spend the next two years developing a global alcohol strategy.

Sources in the Indian delegation said: "Delegates approved a draft resolution calling upon WHO to produce a global strategy aimed at reducing harmful use of alcohol and present it to WHA in 2010. Alcohol is the fifth leading risk factor for death and disability in the world and many Member States, including India, showed deep concern about the magnitude and complexity of alcohol related harm worldwide" WHO said it was deeply concerned about the extent of public health problems associated with harmful use of alcohol, including injuries and violence

Member states also drew attention to the links between alcohol and domestic violence, the risks to pregnant women and road safety. WHO estimates that alcohol is responsible for about 4% of deaths each year. Officials said the blueprint of the alcohol strategy would cover guidance on the marketing, pricing and distribution of alcoholic drinks.

Dr. Ramadoss had earlier said that alcohol consumption posed a grave threat to India - the world's 'youngest' nation with 600 million people less than 30 years of age.