1 1 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION CONTROL – POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION.

1

1Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11

August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION CONTROL – POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA

REGION

WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIAWHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA

2



Public Health Problems caused by Alcohol UsePublic 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

3



Trend of alcohol consumption during 1981-2000

02468101214161820

Pure

alc

ohol

con

sum

ptio

n/pe

rson

(L

itre)

Thai

France

Germany

England

USA

Japan

Philippines

4



Situation of alcohol consumption in Situation of alcohol consumption in ThailandThailand

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

consumption triplein a decade

20

58

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1989 2003litr per capita Source: ThaiHealth

5



Who is “the drinker”?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 PolicyAlcohol 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 ControlTaxation 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 availabilityRegulating 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 DrivingMeasures 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 productionRegulating Alcohol production

State monopoly on production Restriction on distribution Uncontrolled production and

distribution

11



Advertisement Budget on Alcohol in ThailandAdvertisement Budget on Alcohol in Thailand

347460

515

706

1318

2169

1859

1263

1812

2522

772

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Ba

ht

in M

illi

on

s

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Advertising RestrictionAdvertising Restriction

Restrict advertising – target groups Surrogate advertising

13



Education and persuasionEducation 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”

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Modifying Drinking ContextModifying 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 Establishing sustainable managerial mechanismsmechanisms

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 worksFurther 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



“Knowing is not enough – We must

apply

Willing is not enough – We must

do”

– Goethe

1 1 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION CONTROL – POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION.

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