Bangkok--13 Oct--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
To support the government’s efforts to solve alcohol-related problems and encourage more responsible consumption of alcohol
Alcohol industry manufacturers and related agencies today launched The Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand (FACT) consisting of alcohol producers, sellers and distributors, Thai Retailers Association, advertising and related agencies such as The Marketing Association of Thailand, Thai Hotel Association, Thai Restaurant Association, Tourism Association, pub and entertainment establishment operators, Sport Association, etc. FACT was launched in support of the government’s efforts to solve alcohol-related problems and open up channels for carefully focused cooperation between the government and private agencies to reduce alcohol-related problems.
Mr Boonchuay Tongcharoenpulporn, General Secretary, Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand said that according to its policies of good governance, the government needs to create opportunities for the public and related agencies to participate, consider and make appropriate decisions concerning these important issues in order to encourage greater transparency and increase the quality of decision-making by the government.
FACT intends to support the government’s efforts to decrease alcohol-related problems and solve alcohol abuse through diverse cooperation with relevant organizations and stakeholder groups.
“FACT agrees with the government’s clear policy to control alcohol consumption and we’re ready to support the government as it is beneficial for the country. However, we think the government should consider carefully all aspects of these issues in order to save money, and allocate appropriate resources as its decisions will impact the broader economy as well as tourism, unemployment, the tax collection system, etc. FACT thinks that the current laws pertaining to alcohol consumption are suitable but need to be implemented more strictly, ”said Boonchuay.
“It is important that all agencies pay close attention to current policies and pertinent measures to solve problems by cooperating under the co-regulation scheme while opening up opportunities for social networks and private related agencies to participate and propose suggestions for wholly integrated solutions.”
FACT will propose that the government strictly enforce the current alcohol consumption control law as it applies to the current situation as follows:
1. FACT will propose that the government manage and regulate FACT. FACT will set up rules, measures and the overall direction for its members to self-regulate themselves and FACT will investigate its members and will punish anyone who does not abide by FACT’s rules. The government, as a regulator, will also rule all members. If a member does not follow FACT’s rule, the members will be punished by FACT and related government agencies.
2. The government has to strictly apply the laws, especially concerning those laws about where and how alcohol can be sold to reduce the sale of alcohol to young people. Licensing for alcohol needs to be strictly enforced and stores which do not have appropriate licenses to sell alcohol must be punished if they do sell alcohol i.e. street-side grocery stores, street food & beverage stores etc. Moreover there must be strict laws about not selling alcohol at temples, educational institutes, places of worship and hospitals.
3. The government is expected to cooperate with other related agencies i.e. educational institutes, NGOs, private agencies and other stakeholders such as alcohol producers, sellers and distributors, etc. to encourage and support government agencies to employ measures to decrease health problems resulting from alcohol abuse with the cooperation of all agencies as suggested by the World Health Organization.
4. Before declaring any new rules, the government should consider all of the relevant issues and determine what affects such rules will have on matters such as tourism, unemployment and the national economy, etc.
5. The government should examine advertising of alcohol manufacturers, restaurants and related agencies to focus on educational campaigns for consumers and content control by approving content and slogans that provide appropriate information on the abuse of alcohol. Examples of appropriate slogans include Drink Don’t Drive, Alcohol Ban for Underage, Stop Alcohol-Related Violence, etc. This is more appropriate than a total ban on advertisements. A total ban on advertising limits human freedoms.
“According to research undertaken by Mahidol University, there is no direct link between advertising and consumers’ decisions to drink. Instead, consumption of alcohol is related to interaction with friends and other social factors. Moreover MarketWise Ltd’s research on alcohol which consisted of interviews with 2,400 persons who consume alcohol noted that 92% of the respondents thought that advertising had not adversely affected their drinking behavior. We think that it is important for the government to consider all aspects of these issues and act accordingly and in line with the current situation and consumer perceptions,” added Boonchuay.
FACT also supports alcohol manufacturers and related agencies in their efforts to establish codes of conduct to manage marketing activities responsibly by limiting any targeted focus on underage drinkers while refusing to arrange any activities that effectively encourage excessive consumption of alcohol, etc. FACT will propose the establishment of an independent organization to set up rules for advertising and cooperate on all issues that will impact efforts to reduce excessive consumption of alcohol.
“FACT is prepared to provide information and expertise and work with the Public-Health ministry, other agencies, NGOs, academics, health and educational organizations to enact measures aimed at decreasing any inappropriate consumption of alcohol to ensure the broadest possible benefits for our society,” concluded Boonchuay.
For further information, please contact:
The Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand (FACT)
Tel 0 2559 0252-4
Satida Sritunyathorn or Waraporn Somboonwanna
Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Tel. 0 2252 9871