POLICY MONITOR

By  Country
Bangladesh

​* 27 February 2024: Two teachers were temporarily suspended in an emergency meeting of a school in Bandarkhola Union after a leak of the video of them drinking two students on a school tour bus during an educational trip to Sonargaon in Narayanganj last Saturday (February 24). Students drink alcohol inside the bus on the way. At this time teachers are also seen drinking alcohol with students. When such a video was circulated on social media, there was a storm of criticism in the area. [Link]​

Bhutan
* 16 July 2024: Data from health facilities nationwide showed that alcohol liver disease remained the most common cause of death in the country [Link]

* 22 July 2024: Despite the rise in Human Development Index between 2010 and 2022, Bhutan still face challenges in health, education, and social protection. The 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for national development introduces a multi-faceted approach to national development with a primary focus on promoting healthier lifestyles "aiming to reduce risk factors for NCDs such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet". [Link]

Brunei

* 17 March 2024: Officials in a joint operation  ‘Operasi Rondaan Teluk’ involved Marine Police, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, RCED and Narcotics Control Bureau by enforcement agencies detected and tried to intercept a suspicious boat with three individuals in the waterways of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge. The boat sped away but several packages were thrown into the water. Enforcement personnel found 550 cans of alcohol inside, handed over to the Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED). [Link]

Cambodia
* 31 July 2024: The Cambodian government issued an announcement to regulate the advertising of alcoholic products. The advertising of alcoholic beverages will be permitted only with prior authorization from a government working group. The announcement also contains principles to which the advertisers need to adhere. [Link]

DPR Korea
* 25 July 2024: Officials in the city of Samjiyon publicly exposed underage drinkers and their parents during a recent ideological lecture and engaged in public shaming during a public lecture. “Today, we have dealt with statements and training, as well as naming and shaming. But if this kind of problem occurs again, the municipal party committee and police will thoroughly investigate these offenses and impose legal and administrative punishments,” the committee said. [Link]

India
* 24 June 2024: Tamil Nadu State Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that a batch of locally brewed arrack alcoholic drink has resulted in up to 53 deaths. The outbreak occurred on the Tuesday prior to the report. More than 100 people were rushed to hospital [Link]

Indonesia
* 1 July 2024: Three men were sentenced to 42 strokes of the cane each for consuming alcohol and breaking Sharia Law in Banda Aceh, Sumatera Island. [Link]

Lao PDR
* 12 January 2024: Alex Kremer, the World Bank’s representative in Laos, suggested that the government should increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to help address high inflation and currency depreciation, and that the government should spend more money on healthcare and education to set a foundation for future development [Link]

Malaysia
* 28 July 2024: Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Defense, said that funds from alcohol and gambling have been funnelled to vernacular schools and Chinese schools. This was in response to the Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu being seen on stage with others behind a RM3mil mock cheque bearing the logo of a brewery, to which PAS alleged it was "normalising" alcohol consumption. [Link]

Maldives
* 24 July 2024: The Maldives Police Service (MPS) destroyed a large stash of alcohol in police custody on Dhoonidhoo island (187 branded bottles, 217 PET bottles and 788 cans of beer) [Link].
* 24 July 2024: The Maldives Police Service (MPS) Drug Enforcement Department (DED) raided an apartment and a shop in Male and found 141 bottles sized 500ml filled with suspected narcotics. Three migrants (age 24, 29, 29) were arrested in connection with the case and referred to Maldives Immigration [Link]
* 25 Jul 2024 : Two Maldivian men, 29 and 38, arrested for possession of 27 cans of beer inside a bag in Hulhumalé [Link]

Myanmar
* 3 May 2024: Officials in the state of Mizoram reported an increase in manufacturing of illicit liquor and narcotics trade around Aizawl after the influx of refugees from Myanmar [Link]

Nepal
* 4 March 2024: Nepal Police with support from WHO launches drink driving countermeasures in Madhesh Province [Link]
* 28 May 2024: The Nepali government announced plans to brand domestic liquor. Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun said that a separate law will be enacted to regulate the production, marketing, and branding of domestic liquor [Link].
* 2 June 2024: The Nepali government announced that legal arrangements will be made for the production, branding, marketing, and sale of domestic liquor in the budget statement for fiscal year 2024/025 [Link]
* 27 July 2024: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office reported that the number of accidents has decreased by 16.8 per cent and the number of human fatalities has come down by 6 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year. During the past year, public awareness programmes encouraged road users to comply with the traffic rules and take road safety seriously. The campaigns also contributed to the reduction of road mishaps triggered by driving under influence of alcohol or narcotic drugs, non-compliance with lane discipline, and over-speeding among others. [Link]

Philippines

* 26 September 2024: Philippines government's announcement to temporarily suspend the implementation of a new excise tax on alcohol and e-cigarettes. This decision comes in response to concerns from local manufacturers and retailers about the potential negative impact on their businesses, especially during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government aims to support local industries while also considering future tax reforms to ensure fair taxation and public health measures. [Link]

* 2 October 2024: A fatal drunk driving accident in Daanbantayan, southern Cebu, Philippines. Two brothers were driving home drunk when they got into an accident, resulting in one death. The dangers of drunk driving and highlights the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which imposes penalties such as imprisonment, fines, and license confiscation for those caught driving under the influence. [Link]

Singapore

* 31 Aug 2024: Kenneth Wong Hon Kwong, a gynaecologist in Singapore was sentenced to four weeks’ jail after he pleaded guilty to one charge each of drink driving and driving without due care and attention after causing four people suffered injuries in the accident, which happened at around 1am on December 10, 2023. He was found to be over the legal alcohol limit. The accident resulted in significant injuries to the victims, leading to the court's decision to impose a jail term as a deterrent against such behavior. The case underscores the serious consequences of driving under the influence and the legal ramifications in Singapore. [Link]

Sri Lanka

* 8 April, 2020: Sri Lankan Excise Department's plans to arrest individuals who upload content related to the production of homemade alcohol. This move is part of a broader effort to combat illegal alcohol production and consumption, which poses health risks and undermines regulatory efforts. The department has identified online platforms as a growing concern and is taking steps to monitor and address the dissemination of such information. Authorities aim to enhance public safety and adhere to alcohol control regulations. [Link]

* 9 May, 2024: Alcohol production in Sri Lanka decreased by 19% in 2023, according to the State Minister for Finance. This decline is attributed to various factors, including increased regulation and changes in consumer behavior. The Minister said that the reduction aligns with government efforts to promote public health and minimize alcohol-related issues in society. [Link]

Thailand

* 26 August 2024: The death toll from consuming moonshine methanol rose to two after two siblings were arrested for producing and distributing the illicit liquor in northern Bangkok. According to the Department of Medical Services, as of 8 a.m. on Monday 20th, the death toll was two, and 25 other victims remained in hospitals. 16 people were at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Bangkok's Khannayao district, with two victims dependent on respirators and a total of 17 needing dialysis. [Link]

* 25 September 2024: A drunken women, ex-member of the PAO Council was arguing with a woman who was with her. She pushed her friend’s shoulder and verbally abused her before yelling at another table because they were looking at her face. At that moment, Nong B (pseudonym), the 4-year-old eldest son of the victim, ran to see the incident. The drunken woman turned to grab his head and throwing him to the ground, which caused his head to hit the ground hardly. [Link]

Timor Leste


Vietnam

* 23 September 2024: Prime Minister of Vietnam ordering strict penalties for officials who violate alcohol regulations. It discusses the prevalence of drunk driving among officials and the public outrage it has caused. The disciplinary actions that will be taken against violators, and officials need to lead by example and that there will be zero tolerance for any attempts to conceal infractions. [Link]