Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Candidates urged to consider alcohol law

Candidates urged to consider alcohol law

Students drink beer during dinner at a house in the Kingdom’s capital late last year.
Students drink beer during dinner at a house in the Kingdom’s capital late last year. Sovan Philong

Candidates urged to consider alcohol law

More than 30 NGOs are lobbying all political parties to adopt alcohol laws in a bid to curb rates of violence and illness, after the government failed to pass vital legislation last year.

Yong Kim Eng, president of the People Center for Development and Peace, yesterday said he and the other groups had lost faith in the government and implied that officials had been swayed by the interests of alcohol companies.

“They planned to adopt it at the end of July in 2015, but after the government officials met with the alcohol industry, the draft was pushed to the Ministry of Health,” Kim Eng said.

He said alcohol played a role in traffic accidents, disease and violence, costing the state some $40 million each year.

The group resolved to urge 2018 national elections candidates next month to consider the draft laws to set the drinking age at 21, raise taxes and restrict alcohol advertising.

Ruling Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan dismissed the petition as a “drama”.

Chhea Chhor Daphea, a department of health promotion official at the Health Ministry, said she was not aware if the legislation had yet been submitted to the Council of Ministers.

“The ministry always pays attention and urges this to be put in place as soon as possible,” she said.

Health Ministry and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party spokesmen could not be reached yesterday.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the