Challenges in Alcohol Policies in Uruguay: Between Regulation, Prevention, and Healthcare

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the alcohol consumption landscape in Uruguay, highlighting that the country ranks among the highest in consumption levels both globally and regionally. Various international and national sources reveal high prevalence rates across the general population, high school students, and university students, alongside an early age of onset, approximately 13 years old. Among the adult population, more than half report habitual consumption, and nearly three out of ten consumers exhibit problematic patterns, representing approximately 373,000 individuals.

The study identifies multiple challenges for public policy. Regarding the regulatory framework, although Uruguay made progress with Law No. 19,855 in 2018—which proposes a holistic and preventive approach—its implementation and enforcement remain weak. Regulation is more robust in traffic safety—through the "zero alcohol" policy—than in areas such as advertising, commercial availability, and marketing control, particularly within digital environments. Especially vulnerable cohorts are analyzed: childhood and adolescence, pregnancy, older adults, and individuals with problematic consumption. The article concludes that Uruguay faces a complex scenario characterized by high consumption levels and fragmented regulatory frameworks. It emphasizes the need to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws, improve oversight, expand targeted prevention, and consolidate monitoring systems to facilitate the design of evidence-based public policies.