NOTICE PAPER NO. 2397
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
MP for Radin Mas
Question No. 5212
To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether any local studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among Singaporeans aged 30 and below, and its corresponding impact on these young adults’ health; and (b) if no, whether the Ministry can consider commissioning a local study to examine the long term health impact of excessive alcohol consumption during early adult years.
Answer
Data related to alcohol consumption can be found in MOH’s National Population Health Survey report and the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. Details of both studies are publicly available.
There is extensive, well-documented evidence in international studies showing that regardless of age, excessive alcohol consumption may result in alcohol dependence and increase the risk of alcohol-related harm such as the development of chronic disease, violence, and high-risk behaviours. Alcohol consumption from a young age can affect brain development in adolescence, and have long-term adverse effects on cognitive functions.