1. 1 1 Regional 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 ASIA

2. 2 2 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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

3. 3 3 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

4. 4 4 Situation of alcohol consumption in Thailand  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 triple in a decade Source: ThaiHealth

5. 5 5 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 6 6 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 7 7 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 8 8 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 9 9 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 10 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand Regulating Alcohol production  State monopoly on production  Restriction on distribution  Uncontrolled production and distribution

11. 11 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand Advertisement Budget on Alcohol in Thailand

12. 12 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand Advertising Restriction  Restrict advertising – target groups  Surrogate advertising

13. 13 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 14 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 15 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 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. 16 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand Further works  Debate at the forth-coming 59 th 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. 17 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10-11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand “Knowing is not enough – We must apply Willing is not enough – We must do” – Goethe