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RFL/RE – Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, alcohol has been strictly banned in Iran, where consuming, producing, or selling alcohol is punishable by prison, floggings, and fines.
Despite the official ban, Iranians still drink foreign and homemade alcoholic beverages that are sold on the black market.
Over the past year, there has been a spike in the cases of fatal alcohol poisoning, according to medical officials in Iran.
On June 16, at least 14 people died in the northern province of Alborz after drinking bootleg alcohol, state media reported. Another 175 people suffering from alcohol poisoning symptoms were taken to the hospital.
Abbas Masjedi Arani, the head of Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organization, said on June 20 that 644 people had died from alcohol poisoning during the past Iranian year, which ends on March 20. That, he said, was a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Why It Matters: The reason for the surge in cases of fatal alcohol poisoning is unclear. But experts say alcohol consumption has increased in the Islamic republic in recent years.
Some have suggested that growing alcohol use is tied to the deepening economic crisis in Iran, which has witnessed soaring inflation, rising unemployment, and growing poverty.
Researcher and therapist Mohammad Ghadirzadeh told Iran’s Etemad daily that alcohol use has increased over the past five years, including excessive drinking. He said Iran has few alcohol rehabilitation centers, and many who suffer from alcohol abuse are too afraid to seek help.
“The main problem is that many alcohol [abusers]…refuse to go to the hospital or medical centers because they are afraid that going to the hospital would result in a legal case [against them],” Ghadirzadeh said.
What’s Next: The authorities do not appear to have a clear plan to curb cases of fatal alcohol poisoning.
Experts said there are likely to be more cases during the summer, when people usually take trips and hold celebrations.
Physician Hossein Hosseinnia Moghadam, speaking to the Hammihan daily, said demand for alcohol is rising in Iran.
He blamed the cheap alcohol available on the black market, which often contains methanol, for the rise in alcohol-related deaths.
Addiction expert Hooman Narenjiha said Iranians are turning to cheap homemade alcohol because many can no longer afford to buy foreign-made beverages.
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Why It Matters: The indirect negotiations appear to show that Tehran and Washington are keen to de-escalate tensions.
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That’s all for now from The Farda Briefing. You can follow our coverage of Iran on our Farda English page.
Until next time,
Golnaz Esfandiari
