Thai government seeks to mandate graphic warnings on alcohol products

[webfact]

 

The Thai government is in the process of developing a new regulation, requiring producers of alcoholic beverages to feature large, graphic health warnings on their products, much akin to those found on cigarette packaging.

 

This move, orchestrated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee and the Department of Disease Control, has sparked criticism from alcohol producers and the tourism industry, who question its effectiveness in altering consumer behaviour.

 

The public has until Thursday to voice their opinions on the proposed regulation via the Council of State’s website before the rule comes into effect 180 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette, reported Bangkok Post.

 

According to the new regulation, the graphic warning will cover at least one-third of the container, accompanied by text warnings on the dangers of excessive drinking. Some examples include “Alcoholic beverages can cause cancer” and “Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 20 is punishable by imprisonment and a fine”.

The new rule has faced opposition from Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, who champions the liberalisation of rules on alcohol production. He argues that the regulation will not only fail to deter drinking but will also increase production costs for small-scale alcohol producers.

Furthermore, Taopiphop believes that the health warnings will detract from the aesthetics of the containers’ unique designs. He said, “The designs of craft beer cans are made by artists, and they are like contemporary art. Health warnings and scary pictures will decrease their value.”

 

He further stated, “There is no proof as to how effective the health warnings on beer cans would be, the same way it is unclear whether the warnings on cigarette packs actually reduced smoking.”

 

Potential impact

 

According to him, the new regulation, if approved, will affect all producers—large and small—but will disproportionately impact smaller players in the industry. He also highlighted concerns that the health warnings may violate an international trade agreement.

 

Taopiphop suggested that if the public strongly opposes the regulation, it might cause policymakers to reconsider before finalising it. He also pointed out that current alcohol control laws and regulations are already extremely strict, and the government should prioritise enforcing them to prevent abuse and harm.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, also criticised the draft regulation, considering it a step backwards for the country that could affect sales of alcoholic beverages. Several netizens echoed similar sentiments, with some expressing that the new regulation will not impact drinkers but collectors of bottles or cans for their unique designs and brand labels.

 

Presently, cans and bottles of alcohol feature a text warning, with many highlighting the dangers of drink-driving.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top Photo courtesy of Taopiphop Limjittrakorn (Facebook)

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-27

 

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[jacko45k]

Where will all this end?

More necessary on automatic pedestrian crossings!

[Denim]

Brilliant idea.

 

This will stop drinkers in their tracks. Alcohol sales will surely plummet.  The Boon Rawd family will be out on its ear within a year.

[NE1]

Will they put shutters in front of the bottles like they did cigarettes ?

[KannikaP]

Shall I have to put similar pictures on the labels I put on my home made plonk?   5555

[herfiehandbag]

It seems rather pointless. I drink from a glass; if people are drinking from a bottle ( which personally I dislike) then more often than not it is covered by one of those polystyrene foam sleeve things.

 

Still, I suppose it will give more opportunities for people to march around telling others what they should or should not be doing!

Edited February 27 by herfiehandbag

[dinsdale]

Doesn't work for cigs and won't work for booze as stated in the article. Labels are certainly part of the package and the graphic designs on the whole are pretty good. Getting rid of them will have absolutely zero impact on consumption. As such my personal thoughts are mirrored in the article.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, Taopiphop believes that the health warnings will detract from the aesthetics of the containers’ unique designs. He said, “The designs of craft beer cans are made by artists, and they are like contemporary art. Health warnings and scary pictures will decrease their value.”

 

He further stated, “There is no proof as to how effective the health warnings on beer cans would be, the same way it is unclear whether the warnings on cigarette packs actually reduced smoking.”

Just more nonsense from the thought bubble empty heads that run the show.

[Kaopad999]

Good. Alcohol can be incredibly destructive in so many ways 

[KCPhuket]

Another pointless money wasting idea

[tigerbeer]

put graphic labels on cars as well. possible to die in an accident. warning. 

[Bundooman]

Can I suggest the wording of this new idea?

 

WARNING!

Drinking of alcohol under the current Government regulations is frowned upon and you may feel uncomfortable with the restrictions on purchasing times and the extortionate taxation of said product.

This discomfort is likely to further disrupt the pleasure of your holiday in Thailand.

Use with caution - don't enjoy yourselves.

 

There.

Warning administered!

Variations of this theme available for locals and Expats.

[LatPhrao]

From the office of dumb and offensive ideas!  What is their problem?  Outrageously overpriced due to duties and taxes, taxes, taxes and now let's cover them up with preposterous tags and warnings.

[fallup88]

Dos they also spend millions to commission a study on this idiotic idea?

[klauskunkel]

Apropos graphic warnings:

 

Remind me, how did this work out, again?:

Bangkok: Zebra crossings set to turn red - that'll limit accidents, says traffic expert

 

[riclag]

Safety First,  helmet  your kids while riding Motorcycles!

And stop covering up the Nutrition Fact labels on groceries.

 

 

 

Imop

Edited February 27 by riclag

[Regyai]

Every beer bottle to come with an image of a flaccid penis (or is that images mandated by some flaccid penis)

[IAMHERE]

Will Thailand be the first nation to do this?  If not how has it worked in the other nations that do this.

[cjinchiangrai]

Are the stickers available for download? I need to print some for the Lao Khao bottles.

[john donson]

is there not a common joke that alcohol causes people to have sexual relations while drunk which while sober they would never touch

 

and the declining of birth rate in this country...

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai government is in the process of developing a new regulation, requiring producers of alcoholic beverages to feature large, graphic health warnings on their products, much akin to those found on cigarette packaging.

While I don't like draconian measures that make it a "nanny state" smoking in particular tobacco and the abuse of alcohol have been clinically proven to damage ones health, leading to life threatening sickness and death.

A warning on these products is welcome, but the choice as always is up to the consumer.

[1happykamper]

Smashed up busses, cars and motorbikes come to mind. Don't drive drunk! 

[shackleton]

A other waste of money not going to put people off drinking alcohol 😒 

Majority of tourists like to enjoy a alcohol drink in a bar or restaurant 

Pointless exercise 😱

[HappyExpat57]

Yeah, this worked SO well for cigarettes.

[bristolgeoff]

Pointless does nothing,people still smoke and will drink pictures will not make a difference at all

[Cabradelmar]

Worthless idea. Makes about as much sense as pixilating movie scenes that show alcohol. The only person this helps is the person who prints labels. 

[Dogmatix]

The state of California has determined this product may cause cancer and could cause damage to unborn fetuses.  California requires a warning like this on just about everything, not limited to found, drink and smokables but plastics and stuff too. Thailand should these pictures on everything including all the cheap plastic products imported from China.

[Dogmatix]

This is a great idea in tandem with the plan to attract more alcoholic tourists to Thailand.  

 

Why not also put these pictures on weed instead of recriminalizing it.  Warnings are indeed required on weed packaging in Canada and US states.  If underage kids and foreign tourists see the warnings, they will know the risks and not do too much of it.  So everything will be OK.

[Skeptic7]

Another idiotic idea by those whom excel at such ideas. 🤡

[gravia]

another totaly stupid idea, spend the money on giving out rear light bulbs for motorbikes this will save lives

[Geordieabroad]

I'll drink to that, cheers 🍺