The Supreme Court highlighted five consequences of prohibition: revenue loss, enforcement costs, police corruption, illegal distilling and secondary substance abuse
Haryana’s 1996 prohibition experiment cost the state revenue, fuelled liquor smuggling and illicit-liquor deaths, and led to losses of direct and indirect jobs
Bihar’s prohibition has not delivered the expected gains. Studies cited by the editorial point to illicit liquor networks, rising enforcement costs and lost excise revenue
Despite prohibition, Gujarat has witnessed repeated hooch tragedies. The Supreme Court noted 10 major incidents since the state’s formation, claiming over 600 lives
The Supreme Court’s 2016 highway-vend restriction showed how rigid rules can be circumvented. The order was later modified to exempt urban areas crossed by highways
Addressing alcoholism requires targeted interventions
Greater investment in de-addiction centres and measures that strengthen household financial security can offer more sustainable solutions