In France, efforts to combat the harmful effects of alcohol have progressed slowly: a ban on wine in school cafeterias for children under 6 was introduced in 1956, extended to all students in 1984, and advertising was regulated by the Évin Law in 1991. Yet alcohol remains a major cause of preventable mortality (41,000 deaths per year), violence—particularly against women—and social inequality. Science confirms that **there is no safe threshold for alcohol consumption**, and misinformation, amplified by social media, makes an evidence-based approach essential. This issue of *La Santé en action* highlights the urgent need to act to protect vulnerable populations, such as young people and women. Although alcohol consumption among young people is declining, episodes of heavy drinking remain a concern. Women, who are more physiologically vulnerable, also suffer from alcohol-related violence, and fetal alcohol exposure has serious consequences for the child. A comprehensive response is needed: prevention starting in school, early detection by healthcare professionals, appropriate care, and strengthened legislative measures, as the Évin Law has been circumvented. Knowledge sharing, such as at the 2024 international symposium, is crucial. Progress has been made, but we must go further to protect everyone’s health.