Alcohol policy in Thailand

Dr SupredaAdulyanon of the Thai Health Foundation outlined the development and alcohol policy in Thailand.

In 2001 theThai Cabinet published theThai Health Promotion Foundation Act establishing a financial mechanism for health promotion. Thai Health was to receive a 2% surcharge on alcohol and tobacco taxes in order to work as a funding agency for civil movements working to improve the wellbeing of Thai citizens. One of the major tasks of Thai Health is the Alcohol Consumption Control Programme.

Its aims are reduction of consumption; harm reduction; promotion of sensible attitudes particularly among youth; support for alcohol control measures and strengthing of research. Three key strategies are the creation of knowledge: supporting a social movement and mobilising political action.

The core for alcohol related knowledge activities was the establishment of the centre for Alcohol Studies in 2004. To enhance social participation, health orientated networks, including religious alliances, were supported and coordinated by a StopDrink Network.Hundreds of organizations nationwide, covering various sectors, have proven to be effective partners in alcohol policy advocacy, especially in alcohol control measures and drink driving countermeasures.

Public perception of ThaiHealth’s alcohol consumption reduction campaigns have been quite high. Different groups have been targeted by using a variety of methods. Examples include applying religious beliefs during the Buddhist Lent to promote a three-month alcohol free campaign among adults and using celebrities as alcohol free role models for teenagers. Dr Supreda Adulyanon stated “All activities gradually shape the social perception on alcohol and then directly as well as indirectly support the policy movement”.

In 2003 Thai Health movement played a crucial role in setting up the National Alcohol Control Committee which includes many governmental sectors – Finance, Interior, Education, Public Health and the Royal Thai Police office. In the Public Sector the influence of Thai Health has also been seen in the policies of theTobacco and Alcohol Consumption Control Unit under the Ministry of Public Health. The Bill on Alcohol Beverage Control is expected to be passed by Parliament in 2007 and will establish an alcohol policy agency at national and regional level, increasing the minimum purchase age and introducing a comprehensive prohibition on alcohol advertising.

The activities of Thai Health can be seen against a concern over the rise in alcohol consumption from 0.26 litres in 1961 to 8.47 litres of absolute alcohol by 2001. This dramatic growth was due to economic growth, modern lifestyle and a decrease in the price of alcohol coinciding with rising income.

In conclusion Dr SupredaAdulyanon maintained that there were three reasons forThai Health’s success in the alcohol policy field – flexibility, financial security and effective strategy.

Thai Health’s complementary and coordinating role, rather than replacing existing structures and agencies and capacity is widely and positively accepted. Even if there is still a long way to go to prove the sustainable achievement of this innovative financial institution, the early lessons from Thai Health should already demonstrate one of the progressive ways of utilising the alcohol excise tax for the national alcohol policy.