Bangkok Post : Zone curbing alcohol sales set for trial

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Zone curbing alcohol sales set for trial

Picture warnings on bottles required

Published: 5/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The zoning of outlets selling alcohol around universities will begin on a pilot basis pending a ministerial announcement enforcing the change.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodee yesterday said the selection of areas for the project had been discussed with Thammasat University, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and a network of civic groups.

The pilot would show curbs on the sale of alcohol around universities would work, Mr Manit said.

The Prime Minister's Office has drafted an announcement under the Alcohol Control Act. The announcement is organic to the act and it is needed to enforce the zoning.

First, however, it would have to be backed by the national committee on alcohol consumption control chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart. No date for a meeting of the committee has been set.

No alcohol sales will be allowed within 500 metres of universities or other education outlets under the announcement.

However, shops such as convenience stores or entertainment venues selling alcohol may be exempt from the ban.

Exemptions will be decided by the education outlets and the provincial alcohol regulation committee.

Roadside vendors selling alcoholic smoothies will also come under the regulation.

The changes also introduce picture warnings on bottles containing alcohol, similar to those seen on cigarette packs.

The draft will specify the size of the images and health messages which must cover half the label.

They will tell of drinkers suffering from liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver and causing road accidents. They have to be posted on all bottles and packaging for alcohol, the Disease Control Department says.

The pilot project will be useful for testing the water before the announcement takes effect, Mr Manit said.

Another possible measure for the pilot zone is to reject any new applications for operating licences for alcohol shops close to education outlets.

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Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

geordie

Discussion 10 : 05/10/2009 at 04:19 PM10
There is a school near to where I live. Kids come out from school and within 100m there are several bars where half-dressed drunk prostitutes play with their expensive mobile phones, laptops, etc. The kids are very envious. Many end up doing the same thing, often in the same bars after having made friends with the girls.

Close the damned bars. Stop TALKING.

ENFORCE THE LAW.
D Lighted

Discussion 9 : 05/10/2009 at 02:10 PM9
Warnings on bottles containing alcohol, similar to those seen on cigarette packs, may suggest that alcohol and tobacco are similar problems, whereas they are clearly not.

Instead of such warnings, E D U C A T I O N is needed. Teach the people about the effects (both positive and negative) of alcohol, as well as about the effects of tobacco (98% negative), of course.

E D U C A T I O N is what this country needs, what it badly needs. Without it, any warning may be ignored, neglected or misunderstood.
D Lighted

Discussion 8 : 05/10/2009 at 01:54 PM8
Time to change the

Drink No Drive

slogan into

Drink No Study
D Lighted

Discussion 7 : 05/10/2009 at 01:50 PM7
Road safety is an important issue, of course. But: who cares?

I see no sign that "law enforcement" is interested at all.

"Law enforcement" officers themselves violate many rules and regulations all the time; lights, traffic lights, speed, alcohol, staying in the fast lane, riding motorbikes without cap, etc. In other words: they are the perfect example of how we should NOT act.

At checkpoints, cars, trucks and buses, flouting and violating any and all safety regulations, can continue their journey without any obstacle, or after a small 'gift' at most. Brakes, lights, tires, you name it: they are of no importance whatsoever.

Motorbikes too can continue their ride - sometimes opposite to the driving direction - even if the rider and/or passengers do not wear a cap and the bike doesn't have insurance. Money is all it takes to keep going, to keep violating any and all laws.

One of my friends was stopped while driving home after a night of heavy drinking. He was, as he admits, very drunk. After his blood alcohol level was established as 1.76 a senior "law enforcement" officer was called to the scene. A relatively small 4-digit amount was enough for that officer to let my friend continue his trip, behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level of 1.76... All the officer said was: "Drive safely".

Needles to say that IF my friend had caused an accident, killing someone, that officer would be guilty of manslaughter. But again: who cares?
steveyinasia

Discussion 6 : 05/10/2009 at 09:45 AM6
So put the alcohol zones in place except for convenience store and entertainment venues.....where else can you buy alcohol....this pretty much makes the zone as useless as every other government decision.

Stop trying to be seen doing something and actually do it!!!!
charlie

Discussion 5 : 05/10/2009 at 09:35 AM5
Pictures on cigarette packs never had any effect on people who smoked because they are addicted to it .When the government reduces times places can stay open from 200 am to 100 am it doesnt stop people from going out .It just dumps them out on the road drunk and ready to drive all at the same time .It also gives police a reason to collect bribes from clubs to stay open late .If you want to reduce undr age drinking then increase the fine for drinkers and places that serve them and ENFORCE it .Dont universities usually have police stations nearby .
John in BKK

Discussion 4 : 05/10/2009 at 08:21 AM4
Zoning laws are a joke. Remember the Santika club fire? It was located in no-clubs-allowed zone. Police just got paid off, and when they were caught after all those deaths, they swept the 'investigation' under the rug.

I see no difference here.

That being said, I occasionally listen to Thai language radio and here quite a lot of well-produced 'don't drink' and 'don't drink and drive' commercials lately.
RJ

Discussion 3 : 05/10/2009 at 07:08 AM3
Dumb, simply Dumb.
"No alcohol sales less than 500m from universities"
Hmmm...walk 501m, buy alcohol, open, enjoy...How daft can you be Thailand?
savin

Discussion 2 : 05/10/2009 at 06:50 AM2
So a person is old enough to be sent off to war, vote, drive, and trialed as adults, but is clearly not mature enough to control their own drinking habit?
I think the problem here lies in education, not prohibition. I hope they have a long term plan to curb the over drinking problem too, not just these contingency plans.
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 05/10/2009 at 05:12 AM1
Another losing proposal! Look at the exeptions for one. Two, it is easily to get alcohol or just about anything else (remember viagara on so forth?). Three, alcohol is a socially acceptable drug whether they would admit it or not.

Putting a label on the container will not work either. Alcohol is here to stay, just like prostitution.

Education is the only way. I do not drink and I do not like drinking. But if someone wants to drink, he/she must drink responsibly.

Laws also must be impartially enforced if a drunk driver is found guilty of driving under the influence, he/she must be prosecuted accordingly and not just a slap on the wrist.