Minimum age raised to 25 for buyers of booze

[TotallyOz]

APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

 

Health authorities have stepped up measures to curb alcohol consumption among youth by moving up the minimum legal age of buyers from 18 to 25 years. Narong Sahamethapat, deputy chief of the Disease Control Department, said yesterday that the idea was proposed by a network of parents early this year during a public hearing of a draft bill to control alcoholic drinks.

 

 

The measure to raise the legal minimum age of buyers is part of a national campaign to save Thai youth from alcohol abuse, he said, adding that it has already been incorporated into Article 28 of the draft.

 

 

Under the bill, the following areas will be designated as alcohol-free zones _ temples, state offices, schools, universities and other places of education.

 

 

Also, the authorities plan to declare an alcohol-free day when alcohol sales and promotional activities are prohibited.

 

 

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said earlier that a ban on alcohol advertising in all forms of media will be announced on Monday, while the draft alcohol product control bill will be proposed to the cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for approval as soon as possible.

 

 

If approved, it will be the country's first law that gives health officials comprehensive power to tackle all alcohol-related issues, similar to the Tobacco Control Law.

 

 

A study conducted this year by the National Economic and Social Development Board found the number of young drinkers, aged 15-24, has increased from 21.6% to 23.5%. It also found that Thais started drinking at a younger age, with almost 50% of new drinkers aged between 15-19 years old.

 

 

Bundit Sornpaisarn, director of an academic centre dealing with alcohol problems, said the measure to raise the minimum legal age of buyers to 25 would effectively reduce youngsters' access to alcohol. Previous studies on alcohol controls showed that the earlier teenagers were exposed to alcohol promotions, the sooner they started drinking, he said.

 

 

Wallop Tangkananurak, a member of the NLA, urged the government to hike the excise tax on alcoholic products.

 

 

Phra Ratchdhamanithet, better known as Phra Payom Kalayano, voiced strong support for the anti-drinking movement.

 

 

He said the drinking of alcohol, which is prohibited in the five Buddhist precepts, is much more harmful and sinful than lottery betting.

 

 

Thailand ranks No. 5 in the world for consumption of alcohol. On average, a Thai consumes 14 litres of alcoholic drinks per year, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Oct2006_news10.php

[Gaybutton]

Well, GayThailand, if this regulation comes into effect, let's go to a liquor store together and see if either of us get carded

[Guest catawampuscat]

It is probable that entry to liquor serving establishments, like go go bars, beer bars, kareokes, discos

etc. would be affected if this 25 age limit takes effect.. Now, 20 y.o. is the minimum age for entry to

a bar or any drinking establishment and if it goes up to 25, many bars will cease to exist and the

scene will change completely, both straight and gay..

Hard to imagine it will happen but it is another

reason to scare of buyers of high priced condos and other investors..

It would be party time for corruption...

[Gaybutton]

Now, 20 y.o. is the minimum age for entry to

a bar or any drinking establishment and if it goes up to 25 . . .

 

What is most interesting to me is that one could still be 18 years old to work in a bar, but would have to be seven years older to patronize the same bar.