WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

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

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

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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 19911999 Source: Thai. Health 4 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 4

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 5 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 5

Alcohol Control Policy § Most of 11 Member States have adopted § § 6 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 (highrisk groups) Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 6

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 7 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 7

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 8 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 8

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 9 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 9

Regulating Alcohol production § State monopoly on production § Restriction on distribution § Uncontrolled production and distribution 10 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 10

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

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

Education and persuasion § Use of Mass media § § 13 {Public and Private} Need increased investment for massmedia campaigns sponsors Educating school children Youth as advocators for “No to Alcohol” Creation of “Non. Alcohol Clubs” Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 13

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 (highrisk groups) 14 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 14

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 15 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 15

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) 16 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 16

“Knowing is not enough – We must apply Willing is not enough – We must do” – Goethe 17 Regional Conference on Alcohol Control, 10 -11 August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand 17