Alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality after lifting ban on beer sales in country with state alcohol monopoly

BACKGROUND: The objectives were to study alcohol consumption per capita and liver cirrhosis mortality in the population of Iceland.

METHODS: The Statistic Iceland website supplied alcohol sales figures and death rates.

RESULTS: The alcohol consumption increased 30% during the study period 1982-2009, because of increase in beer and wine, and decrease in spirits consumption. Chronic liver cirrhosis mortality increased significantly for men when comparing the 1982-88 rates (before beer ban was lifted) with the rates for 2003-09.

CONCLUSION: The findings do not support the suggestion that spirits consumption rather than the total alcohol consumption affect the cirrhosis mortality.