New regulations to tackle soaring alcohol sales to underage drinkers

Following news reports of soaring alcohol sales to youths, the Ministry of Public Health will propose a ban on the sale of cocktail smoothies near schools and colleges to the July 25 meeting of the National Alcohol Policy Committee (NAPC), a senior official said yesterday.

Two or three tougher regulations under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act 2008 will first be tabled at the Committee on Alcohol Consumption Control's July 2 meeting before the report is submitted to the NAPC meeting chaired by Deputy PM Sanan Kachornprasart, said Dr Samarn Futrakul, Director of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption Control.

Cocktail smoothies ban
The new regulations were aimed at preventing youths from getting their hands on popular alcoholic beverages that target young consumers, said Samarn. Under them, anyone found illegally selling alcoholic smoothies close to educational institutions would face up to six months in jail and/or a Baht10,000 fine.

"The ministry will ban alcoholic smoothies at all restaurants, mobile stalls and especially shops close to schools, universities and tourist areas such as Khaosan Road. However, vendors in tourist areas would be exempted if they had a license to sell alcohol," he said.

Samarn added that under Article 17 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act 2008, shops selling alcoholic smoothies around schools were already liable to fines of Baht 500 (for domestic booze) and Baht 2,000 (for imported drink).

Warning labels
Article 28 of the Act bans the sale of alcohol to any person under 20, with penalties of up to one year in prison and/or a Baht 20,000 fine for offenders.

The new regulations will also get tough on alcohol packaging as the Act requires alcoholic drinks to carry a warning image occupying at least 50 per cent of the overall label space. Violators risked one year in jail and/or Baht 100,000 in fine, said Samarn.

Source: The Nation