Curb Alcohol Advertising to Reduce Harm: Analyst
Information Minister Neth Pheaktra (left) and Health Minister Chheang Ra (right).
- By Meng Seavmey
- January 11, 2024 9:50 AM
PHNOM PENH – People, especially the young, are exposed excessively to alcohol advertisements, with prizes offered as bait to boost consumption, social analyst Pa Chanroeun says.
He spoke as officials renewed warnings about the harm caused by alcohol and called for strict enforcement of the Code of Conduct on Alcohol Advertisements.
“Advertisements are seen on posters, billboards, online posters, newspapers, magazines, TV channels and radio channels,” Chanroeun said.
“There’s this marketing strategy these days to urge people to drink more by giving prizes in the form of money or drinks.
“Alcohol has become a drink that is needed every time people gather together.”
The issue is becoming of greater concern and needs serious regulation, the Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID) president said.
Chanroeun said he had noticed an increasing number of people consuming alcohol in both rural areas and cities during national holidays and days off. Most of them were 30 years old or younger.
He called for a study on solutions to the problem and urged the government to reduce harm by enforcing alcohol control laws and the code of conduct.
On Jan. 9, Information Minister Neth Pheaktra called on media outlets, companies that produce, sell and import alcohol drinks, and advertisement companies to strictly follow the ministry’s code.
The regulations include “the prohibition on using attractions and slogans to encourage people to consume alcohol to win prizes”, and “the prohibition on hiring women or underage individuals to advertise alcohol drinks — which affects the rights and dignity of Khmer women.”
There must be “Don’t drive while drunk” or “Drink responsibly” messages on all alcohol advertisements on TV, online media outlets, banner posters, LED screens and billboards.
The ministry has allowed time for advertisements to be changed or improved but will take down any advertisement that breaks the rules and says it will take action against the company owners.
Risk factors and side effects
On Jan. 9, the Health Ministry also warned the public about alcohol harm and side effects. It said alcohol creates short-term and long-term health risks to consumers and harm to families, friends and others.
For the short-term effects, alcohol makes consumers talk more and can lead to unconsciousness. Pregnant women who consume alcohol can harm their baby.
In the long term, consumers might develop diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, leukemia, a weakened immune system, be prone to infections, mental health problems, addiction, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and muscle and bone weakness.
Alcohol consumption is one of the world’s leading risk factors for illness, disability and death, especially for the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — which accounted for 52 percent of deaths in Cambodia in 2014.
Other issues include domestic violence, crimes, personal conflicts, increased expenses on alcohol, healthcare costs and traffic accidents.
The Health Ministry urged the public, especially young people, to avoid alcohol consumption.
“To those who have never consumed it, please don’t try. To those who are consuming alcohol, please reduce it for your health and your beloved ones,” it said.
The ministry also urged local authorities, families, schools and communities to join in reducing alcohol consumption by raising the awareness of its negative impacts as widely as possible and by encouraging consumers to cut their intake.
More importantly, the ministry encouraged the public to make it normal to gather at events without alcohol being involved.
