Alcohol use is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, particularly among those of working age. High alcohol intake is a major risk factor for heart diseases and strokes, liver cirrhosis and certain cancers, but even low and moderate alcohol consumption increases the long-term risk of these diseases. Alcohol also contributes to more car crashes and injuries, violence, homicides, suicides and mental health disorders than any other psychoactive substance, particularly among young people. Alcohol-related diseases and injuries incur a high cost to society. Life expectancy is nearly a year lower on average across OECD countries than it would be if people consumed less alcohol. An average of 2.4% of health spending goes on dealing with the harm caused by alcohol consumption – and the figure is much higher in some countries (OECD, 2021[10]). The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated government measures to limit mobility affected patterns and places of alcohol consumption. Some of the problems associated with harmful alcohol consumption were intensified by the crisis, such as engaging in harmful drink to cope with stress or domestic violence (OECD, 2021[11]).