WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA

1. WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION CONTROL – POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION

2. Public Health Problems caused by Alcohol Use • 2 billion people world wide consume alcohol • 76.3 million people suffered alcohol use disorders • Alcohol use caused 3.2% of all deaths (1.8 m) and 4% of DALY (58.3 m) • Adult per capita consumption ranged from 1 L in INO to 8.47 L in THA

4. Situation of alcohol consumption in Thailand consumption triple in a decade • 260,000 more consumers each year • Beer consumption increased 6 times during 1987-1997(from 2.4 L/person/year to 19.5 L/person/year) • Alcohol selling increase 100% during 1991-1999 Source: ThaiHealth

5. Who is “the drinker”? • 1/3 of Thai people older than 15 years old • 55.9% of Thai male and 9.8% of Thai female • Most prevalence aged between 25 and 29 • 2/3 of high school and college students reveal that they drink alcohol

6. Alcohol Control Policy • Most of 11 Member States have adopted national alcohol policy, either explicitly or implicitly • No single policy option is effective • Need for comprehensive, multidisplinary, integrated alcohol policy and strategy • Population-based approach (legislative and managerial measures) • Individual risk reduction approach (high-risk groups)

7. Taxation and other Price Control • Alcohol is a source of substantial revenue of for governments. • Increasing taxation of alcohol will lead to price increase, that would influence the consumption • Alcohol is not to be treated as any other commodity

8. Regulating physical availability • Various measures (legislative and managerial) • Minimum legal purchasing or drinking age: (18-21 years) • Restriction of sales – number, density, locations of sales outlets; limit sales (hours/days); rationing; restriction on serving and selling • Total prohibition or Ban on alcohol

9. Measures for Drunk Driving • Control at the point of licensing for driving • Setting up legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) • Active surveillance (random checking) for drink-driving and swift punishments • Measures for high-risk groups

10. Regulating Alcohol production • State monopoly on production • Restriction on distribution • Uncontrolled production and distribution

11. Advertisement Budget on Alcohol in Thailand

12. Advertising Restriction • Restrict advertising – target groups • Surrogate advertising

13. Education and persuasion • Use of Mass media {Public and Private} • Need increased investment for mass-media campaigns - sponsors • Educating school children • Youth as advocators for “No to Alcohol” • Creation of “Non-Alcohol Clubs”

14. Modifying Drinking Context • Provision of alternative recreation facilities • Provide alternative financing for sponsorship for sport and social events • Public nuisance and personal responsibility while intoxicated • Individual risk reduction approach (high-risk groups)

15. Establishing sustainable managerial mechanisms • Establishment of national alcohol control authority or similar agency • National coordinating body or mechanism • Coordination among stakeholders • Consumers’ forum • Monitoring and evaluation of the policy interventions including impact • Promoting national and regional networks and centres

16. Further works • Debate at the forth-coming 59th session of WHO Regional Committee, under Agenda Item 11 • Member States to further enhance their alcohol control policy and programmes, using regional experiences • Adopt various policy options, if possible introduce/update legislative measures • Involve stakeholders (private/public producers, distributors, civil society, research/academic institutions, public agencies)

17. THANK YOU “Knowing is not enough – We must apply Willing is not enough – We must do” – Goethe SAWASDEE