Policy Monitor

2024

July 

The Nation: 10% of Thais at risk due to heavy drinking. 

June

• Reuters: Vietnam's Finance Ministry has proposed to hike a special consumption tax on alcoholic drinks to 100% by 2030. 

May 

• New Straits Times: Malaysia's National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) reports that more than 45 % of Malaysian alcohol drinkers engage in binge drinking. Prevalence of alcohol use decreased from 11.8% in 2019 to 10.4%. 

April

• The Thaiger: ThaiHealth pushes for alcohol-free Songkran based on a 2023 survey that shows support for alcohol-free celebrations. 

March 

• Thai PBS World: Thailand's public health advocates confront alcohol industry-backed proposals to weaken alcohol control. 

• Malay Mail: The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) urged the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to look into the handling of alcohol by Muslim cabin crew - a long-standing concern for decades. 

February

• VN Express: Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security alarmed by high alcohol consumption culture; maintains zero-alcohol limit for drivers. Related: Motorbikes pile up as Vietnam goes after drunk drivers

• BNN: 22 civil society organizations in Cambodia push for alcohol control law that has been pending since 2015. The law includes prohibition of alcohol advertising, an increase in alcohol taxes, and tighter controls on alcohol availability. 

• The Nation: Thailand's Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee rejects alcohol industry proposal to extend afternoon alcohol sales, citing public order and safety concerns. 

• Business World: The Philippines scored low in the International Alcohol Control Study (IAC) Alcohol Policy Index, lower than Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao PDR. 

• BNN: Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet pushes for inter-ministerial code of conduct for alcohol advertising. 

January 

• Indonesia Expat: Indonesia raised excise duty rates on alcohol after a decade without any adjustments. 

• Port Calls: The Philippines' Bureau of Customs implements updated excise taxes for alcohol, tobacco and vapor products. 

• RFA: The World Bank urges Lao PDR to increase taxes on alcohol and tobacco. 

• RFA: Vietnam enforces zero tolerance in anti-drunk driving crackdown. 

• ABS-CBN News: The Philippines' Department of Health: There is no safe level of alcohol drinking. 

• Channel News Asai: Thailand cuts taxes on alcohol and entertainment venues to boost tourism. The wine tax is cut from 10 to 5 per cent, while the tax on spirits is cut from 10 to 0. 

• Free Malaysia Today: Penang Council bans alcohol sales during the Thaipusam Festival. 

• Mothership: Singapore's vouchers for lower-income households introduced during the pandemic cannot be used for alcohol or cigarettes.  

2023

December

• VN Express: Vietnam will implement more checks for drunk-driving during the Tet holidays. 

• VN Express: In Vietnam, a record of 770,000 cases of alcohol-related traffic violations in 2023. 

• Business World: A case for enhanced alcopops regulation in the Philippines (by Kaloi Garcia). 

November 

• Business World: The Philippines' Sin Tax Coalition pushes for an increase in tax on alcopops (pre-mixed alcoholic beverages). 

• Business World: The case for increasing alcohol taxes in the Philippines (by AJ Montesa). 

• Channel News Asia: Singapore requires e-commerce platforms (Lazada, Shopee, Carousell) and telecommunication (WhatsApp, Telegram) services by January 2024 to verify the age of buyers to ensure liquor is not sold to people under 18.  

• Jakarta Globe: Indonesian police arrests couple for selling home-made alcohol that has killed 14 people at a wedding celebration.  

• WHO: Timor Leste launched second national STEPwise survey on NCDs and risk factors. 

2025

June

• Kyodo News: More women in Japan turn to recovery groups in their struggle with alcohol 

January

• Taipei Times: Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor maintains price freezes and launches anti-dumping investigation on Chinese beer.  

• Drinks Business: China extends EU brandy anti-dumping probe

2024

October 

• Associated Press: Hong Kong cuts liquor tax in an effort to reignite its nightlife industry

July

• Drinks Business: Japanese gymnast banned from Olympics after breaking code of conduct on abstaining from alcohol.

• Japan Forward: The trends in alcohol consumption in Japan are changing amid the imminent ban on drinking in public places in Shibuya, declining sales of alcoholic beverages with high alcohol content, and debates around alcohol advertising. 

June

• CNN: Shibuya City in Japan to ban drinking in public places from 6pm to 5am starting in October. 

• Nikkei: More Japanese women suffer from excessive drinking. 

May

• Yahoo: Alcohol is not on the menu for the two-day bilateral meeting between Japan and South Korea, which was last held in 2011. 

April

• China Daily: China's Ministry of Public Security launched a campaign to combat counterfeit alcohol sold as "specially supplied" goods for the public sector. 

March

• South Korea will allow the selling of liquor - including soju - by glass. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/04/113_371199.html  

• China lifted tariffs on Australian wine after Australia withdrew a 2020 complaint with the WTO about the tariffs. https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2024/03/28/China-removes-heavy-tariffs-on-Australian-wine

• After industry and retailer complaints, South Korea relaxed penalties for alcohol retailers deceived into selling alcohol to minors with false identification.  https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2024/03/27/south-korea-relaxes-penalties-for-alcohol-sellers-deceived-into-selling-alcohol-to-minors 

• Alcohol diplomacy? The Indian Embassy in China hosted a whisky-tasting event, introducing different kinds of whiskies from Indian brands. Read here: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/china-gets-a-taste-of-indias-finest-alcohol-as-indian-embassy-holds-whisky-tasting-event-101711532417279.html 

February

• Japan rolled out its first guidelines on alcohol consumption. Read here: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/19/japan/science-health/japan-alcohol-consumption-guideline/

• Japan struggles with an increasing number of drunk people sleeping on the streets. https://unseen-japan.com/japanese-drunk-roadside-sleeping/ 

January 

• China launches anti-dumping investigation into brandy from the EU, targets Cognac. Read here: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/01/china-launches-anti-dumping-investigation-into-eu-brandy/  

• Local governments in South Korea imposes bans public alcohol consumption, fines up to 100,000 won. Read here:  https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240105000542 

• Calls for changes in alcohol law to address problems with South Korea's alcohol culture after cases of drinking incidents. Read here: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3249381/does-south-korea-have-drinking-problem-recent-cases-highlight-manly-culture need-alcohol-law-changes 

2023

November 

• Taiwan launches the Taiwan Alcohol Abstinence and Addiction Prevention Center, the country's first center to help alcoholics by providing consultation, screening and referral services. Read here: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/11/25/2003809689  

• Japan's health ministry guidelines on drinking reversed tax  agency's promotion of alcoholic beverages among people aged 20 to 39. Read here: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/11/japan-makes-major-u-turn-on-alcohol-advice/ 

2025

July

• RNZ: Cook Islands government to consider an increase in alcohol and sugary drinks tax. 

2024

December

ABC: Cause of suspected alcohol poisoning in Fiji remains unknown following toxicology report

October

• Islands Business: WHO says Western Pacific to miss UN goal to cut early deaths from lifestyle diseases

September

• Food Navigator: After public consultations, Food Standards Australia New Zealand to consider proposals on alcohol labelling standards in late 2024 to early 2025. 

August

• PHCC: Alcohol-related harms now available on demand online in New Zealand. 

May

• Scoop: The New Zealand Transport Agency with local governments campaign against drink driving. 

April 

• RNZ: New Zealand Health Ministry issues new clinical diagnostic guidelines for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. 

• SIBC Online: The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force appeals to liquor license holders to observe the liquor ban during the 16 to 26 April election period. 

March

• RNZ: Wastewater research shows higher alcohol consumption in smaller towns in New Zealand. 

February 

• Loop PNG: The new Morobe Provincial Liquor Licensing Board in northern Papua New Guinea to focus on control of alcohol sales and distribution and monitoring and surveillance of products sold to the community. 

January 

• FBC News: Drug Free World Fiji calls for dedicated drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Fiji. 

2023

November 

• Post Courier: Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands provincial government passes a law regulating alcohol and gambling. 

• Post Courier: Alcohol industry challenges Eastern Highlands provincial government on alcohol laws. 

2024

August

• Reuters: India plans tougher ad curbs on liquor makers,  including bans on surrogate ads and sponsorships. 

July

• Reuters: Pernod's New Delhi liquor licence appeal rejected. 

• Reuters: Diageo India's CEO summoned by Delhi city anti-corruption police investigating billing and discount practices involving government agencies running liquor retail shops between 2017 and 2020. 

May 

• Lancet: Bihar's alcohol ban since 2016 led to a decrease in frequent alcohol consumption, lower rates of obesity, and reduced experiences of emotional and sexual violence among females. 

• Drinks Business: State-by-state guide on liquor laws in India.

April

• News18: Alcohol Awareness Month in India: Prevalence of alcohol use in India at 14.3%, 27.3% among men and 1.6% among women.  

• FT: The Institute of Policy Studies advocates for stricter alcohol regulations in Sri Lanka. 

March 

• Drinks Business: Market research predicts market growth in India across all alcohol beverage categories with the relaxation of regulatory measures and tax reductions due to expected free trade agreements. 

• Republic World: Assam (India) set to increase minimum prices of alcohol beverages in all categories. 

February

• Economic Times: The Karnataka state government in India plans to adjust duty rates for Indian Made Liquor to stay competitive with neighbouring states. 

January 

• The Wire: Gujarat lifts alcohol ban in hotels, restaurants, and clubs to attract global financial institutions in Gujarart International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) 

2023

December

• FT: ADIC Sri Lanka raises concerns regarding 2024 Budget and implications on alcohol and cannabis industries. 

November 

• Economy Next: Sri Lanka suspended licences of five distilleries due to non-payment of taxes amounting to 6.7 billion rupees. 

• Medical Express: What are the barriers to taxing alcohol and tobacco in Nepal? 

2024

May 

• MSN: The UAE's Abu Dhabi relaxes alcohol law and allows micro and craft breweries. 

March

• Metro: Turkey advice tourists to follow local rules when it comes to drinking alcohol in parks and beaches. 

January 

• Guardian: Saudi Arabia to allow its first alcohol shop to cater to non-Muslim diplomats and to counter illicit alcohol.