GAPA consultation meeting, Bangkok

The need to develop an international network of public health advocates to promote policies about alcohol, based on evidence without influence from the commercial sector, was one of the main conclusions of the international conference held in Syracuse, New York State, in August 2000.

In the light of this the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance held its first regional meeting in Bangkok in November 2001. The Asia Pacific region was chosen because it is a key target of the global alcohol industry. A week before the consultation the Scotch Whisky Association reported a significant upturn in their Asian market, announcing a 32.8 per cent increase in sales. The SVA Chairman hoped that this marked "a return to form for one of the industry's most important markets".

The remark confirms that the alcohol industry has set its sights on the immature markets of the developing world. Since it is potentially the largest market, the Asia Pacific region is a key target.

The principal countries of growth are Thailand, where a doubling of growth is expected in the next five years, India which will increase by over two thirds, Indonesia by four fifths, and Vietnam by half. This is on top of the huge growth in consumption which took place in the previous decade, despite the regional currency crisis, poverty, large underage population segment, and cultural norms. Thailand's exceptional growth is a result of the impact of the WTO, duty reductions and market liberalisation.

From this it should be clear why the Asia Pacific region was chosen as GAPA's first regional consultation. There is a need for public health advocates to counter the activities of the alcohol industry. In many of the Asia Pacific countries there still remains regulated and controlled markets by governments. Restrictions on advertising are in place but are being eroded. Policy makers should be aware, before any further erosion takes place, that the evidence from even mature markets in the West show that where there are bans on advertising there is 16 per cent less consumption and 10 per cent fewer road accidents than in countries without a ban.

Nine countries from the region attended the meeting and presented papers relating to their country's alcohol consumption together with illustrative material of the marketing tactics of the global alcohol industry and are published in this edition of The Globe.

One of the matters which representatives considered urgent was the role of the alcohol industry in the sponsorship of sport. There was particular concern in relation to the World Cup, which takes place in the region in June 2002 and on behalf of the meeting the President of Penang Consumer Association, Mr Idris, sent a letter to FIFA requesting that such sponsorship should cease.

Derek Rutherford