Prime Minister Hun Manet chairs the plenary session of the Council of Ministers at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on February 2. STPM
Prime Minister Hun Manet has directed the relevant authorities to assess alcohol advertisements, specifically those on public billboards, in an effort to reduce accidents caused by drunk driving.
The guidance was issued during a plenary session of the Council of Ministers chaired by Manet on February 2, where various issues, including those related to alcohol, were discussed.
Manet has instructed the Ministry of Information to collaborate with the ministries of Health and Commerce in developing a comprehensive code of conduct for alcohol advertising, according to the council’s press release.
This mandate builds upon the Prime Minister’s earlier order – issued at the closing ceremony of the information ministry’s annual meeting on January 23 – to strengthen alcohol control on drivers due to the significant role of alcohol in vehicular accidents.
“I urged National Police chief Sar Thet to enhance alcohol control, recognising its lamentable and tragic consequences. Preventing alcohol from affecting one’s ability to drive cautiously is imperative. Strengthening laws, implementing stringent controls and garnering public participation are essential measures,” he said.
Kep provincial governor Som Piseth said on February 4 that Manet’s instructions were directed at provincial and municipal authorities nationwide.
“Previously, there were no legal provisions restricting alcohol advertisements, leading to a diverse array of alcohol promotion. To address this, a multi-provincial team now verifies public signage, acknowledging the impact of displays on religious and cultural traditions,” he said.
“As the governor, I need to address the serious societal impact of beer and alcohol promotion. In the past, I ordered the removal of certain billboards at crucial sites, recognising their influence on society,” he said.
Piseth said he envisions improved implementation by sub-national authorities, like Kep province, following three rounds of inter-ministerial cooperation to formulate dedicated ethical standards for alcohol advertising.
Kim Pagna, the country director of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, noted the necessity for uniform law enforcement by authorities, calling for the establishment of additional policies and laws related to alcohol.
“A clear alcohol control policy will outline sales regulations, advertising protocols and propose aligning alcohol taxes with those in neighbouring Thailand. These guidelines and taxes ultimately aim to curtail alcohol accessibility,” he said.
“Limiting users’ access to money doesn’t necessarily mean they can no longer afford alcohol, but it does lead to reduced purchases. Currently, 40,000 riel [$10] could buy a case of beer, but with an increased tax rate, that sum might cover only half a case,” he said.
He added that collaborative efforts are essential to enhance awareness regarding the impact of alcohol and reduce accidents caused by drivers under the influence.
