European trade body criticizes Thailand's proposed alcohol health warning proposals

[webfact]

European trade body criticizes Thailand's proposed alcohol health warning proposals

BANGKOK: -- A European trade body has levied criticism at the proposed use of health warnings on alcohol labels, they claim there are more effective measure to tackle issues that surround the abuse of alcohol.

Spirits Europe said, in their recent news letter that health warnings on alcohol bottles fail to induce behavioral change in drinking patterns and that more sophisticated prevention campaigns are more appropriate.

Thailand has been considering putting graphic warning labels on alcohol for quite some time highlighting the increased risk of suicide, family break up and drink driving. However Spirits Europe has asked the officials to reconsider their approach to alcohol related problems and to consult the World Trade organizations Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.

“As spirits producers, we make great efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm without punishing moderate, responsible consumers, both in Europe and in third countries to which we export our products,” a statement from Spirits Europe read.

“We appreciate Thailand’s commitment to tackling alcohol harm. However, we believe that there are more appropriate measures – equally if not more effective – to fulfill the public health objective of reducing alcohol related harm, which should be adopted by the Thai authorities instead.”

The argument between trade and politicians with regards to the implementation of health warnings on alcohol labels has been waging for some time. Most recently, in August this year, a group of British MP’s recommended that warnings should be printed on alcohol products to combat the UK’s excessive drinking problem.

Calls were also recently made in Australia for tougher warnings on alcohol labels following the revelation that 15 die every day from alcohol-related harm in the country


-- Samui Times 2014-10-22 SAMUI TIMES

[billd766]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

[seajae]

yes, how dare any country try to issue warnings about these products to save peoples lives when the manufacturers can make huge profits from peoples misery , companies will do what ever they can if they think they will lose money, they dont give a sh*t about the people as long as the profits keep rollng in.

[Thai at Heart]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

The labels will have to be added to the bottles during bottling which is a massive pain in the backside because the volumes of spirits sold to Thailand other than whiskies is relatively small.

This is just blatent protectionism on the part of Thailand. They don't give a damn about anyone's health when it comes too booze, but they do want to keep foreign spirits out of Thailand. As if putting those stupid excise stamps isn't enough hassle, now the label itslef is going to have to be printed and fixed specifically for Thailand in the bottling line. A real pain.

[Tatsujin]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

“As spirits producers, we make great efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm without punishing moderate, responsible consumers, both in Europe and in third countries to which we export our products,” a statement from Spirits Europe read.

[ggold]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

In a word "Profits"

In the UK they went from health warnings to wanting to ban branding on cigarette packets, Thailand might actually lead the world to eventually doing the same with alcoholic drinks, how long before the rest of the world follows?

[northernjohn]

How about ear medicine?

I can see it all now the picture of a guy or gal standing on a chair with a rope tied around their neck. Ought to really scare off the potential suicidal people or give them another idea how to do it. That is if they were considering it. It might give them the idea to commit suicide.

[Pib]

Specific labeling for certain countries does cut into a company's profits due to special bottling/labeling required versus being able to use the same bottle/label all over the world. And it could have the impact of some foreign companies deciding selling their goods in Thailand is not worth the extra cost. Of course that makes Thai alcoholic manufacturers happy due to less competition....and it could make Thai bottlers happy if the foreign company decides to ship over bulk containers/barrels to be rebottled in Thailand. Some countries consider such actions as a form of trade barriers.

Edited October 22, 2014 by Pib

[JOC]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

The labels will have to be added to the bottles during bottling which is a massive pain in the backside because the volumes of spirits sold to Thailand other than whiskies is relatively small.

This is just blatent protectionism on the part of Thailand. They don't give a damn about anyone's health when it comes too booze, but they do want to keep foreign spirits out of Thailand. As if putting those stupid excise stamps isn't enough hassle, now the label itslef is going to have to be printed and fixed specifically for Thailand in the bottling line. A real pain.

You clearly don't know how much social misery alcohol creates!!

The only worry of this "trade-body" is, they are going to make a euro-cent less profit on each bottle by being forced to put on the warninglabel!!

Nice to see, that Thailand for once is leading the way!!

[JOC]

How about ear medicine?

I can see it all now the picture of a guy or gal standing on a chair with a rope tied around their neck. Ought to really scare off the potential suicidal people or give them another idea how to do it. That is if they were considering it. It might give them the idea to commit suicide.

Just when you thought the level couldn't get any lower!!

[MRDave]

Maybe the health warnings should say danger! you could be murdered or scammed in Thailand.

[JOC]

Maybe the health warnings should say danger! you could be murdered or scammed in Thailand.

I take, that you are still living with your mother at the age of 55, because the world is a dangerous place?

[dominique355]

Maybe we should consider heavy graphical warning labels on Thai shrimps. High cholesterol levels kill even more people than alcohol.

[oneday]

Another misleading headline by an uneducated reporter.

From reading this article there is ONE company called "Spirits Europe" complaining. One company does NOT an entire EU make. As a matter of fact, the article goes on to say Britain and Australia have recently debated placing warnings on alcohol bottles. Can't these reporters ever create accurate headlines.

Secondly, if, as they say, "health warnings on alcohol bottles fail to induce behavioral change in drinking patterns" well then what is their problem. They should have nothing to worry about. By complaining about it, they have advertised to everyone with half a brain that they really are afraid it will cause their sales to drop and that's all this is about...money.

[razer]

European trade body .... Don't they mean FARANG trade body?

[Jungle Jim]

Thailand likely has the highest rate of alcoholism in the world. And guess where the alcoholics come from ? I am not talking about the Thais. A very small percentage compared to the lovely Euros.

[WhizBang]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

Imports INTO Thailand, I would assume.

[Thai at Heart]

Specific labeling for certain countries does cut into a company's profits due to special bottling/labeling required versus being able to use the same bottle/label all over the world. And it could have the impact of some foreign companies deciding selling their goods in Thailand is not worth the extra cost. Of course that makes Thai alcoholic manufacturers happy due to less competition....and it could make Thai bottlers happy if the foreign company decides to ship over bulk containers/barrels to be rebottled in Thailand. Some countries consider such actions as a form of trade barriers.

It basically will hurt independent importers massively.

They won't be able to buy stock lots of wine or booze and ship them here. It will all have to be relabelled.

Just imagine what that does for the wine industry.

[bongoz]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

The labels will have to be added to the bottles during bottling which is a massive pain in the backside because the volumes of spirits sold to Thailand other than whiskies is relatively small.

This is just blatent protectionism on the part of Thailand. They don't give a damn about anyone's health when it comes too booze, but they do want to keep foreign spirits out of Thailand. As if putting those stupid excise stamps isn't enough hassle, now the label itslef is going to have to be printed and fixed specifically for Thailand in the bottling line. A real pain.

Easy solution - don't sell to Thailand...

[bheard]

"We appreciate Thailand’s commitment to tackling alcohol harm. However, we believe that there are more appropriate measures – equally if not more effective – to fulfill the public health objective of reducing alcohol related harm, which should be adopted by the Thai authorities instead."

Therein lies some good advice for Thailand, there are in fact many things to do which would be at least or more effective than scary labels..

Start with enforcing road rules - thou shall not drive drunk for example. Drink driving in Australia has been largely wiped out by stringent measures. Booze buses - breath test all drivers you pull up for any reason, every time. and make the penalties horrendous. Young people in Aus now nominate one of their number as driver for the night out and he/she does not drink - it's zero tolerance. It works!

Change the Thai mentality - in my experience Thais often 'keep drinking till it's all gone'. I've seen this on many occasions. I don't know how to do this but it should be tackled.

Etc etc.

[Thai at Heart]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

The labels will have to be added to the bottles during bottling which is a massive pain in the backside because the volumes of spirits sold to Thailand other than whiskies is relatively small.

This is just blatent protectionism on the part of Thailand. They don't give a damn about anyone's health when it comes too booze, but they do want to keep foreign spirits out of Thailand. As if putting those stupid excise stamps isn't enough hassle, now the label itslef is going to have to be printed and fixed specifically for Thailand in the bottling line. A real pain.

You clearly don't know how much social misery alcohol creates!!

The only worry of this "trade-body" is, they are going to make a euro-cent less profit on each bottle by being forced to put on the warninglabel!!

Nice to see, that Thailand for once is leading the way!!

I know extremely well personally about the misery of alcohol.

Any proven reduction of consumption due to warnings? None. All this does is keep foreign spirits out of the country and allow unfair advantage to domestic alcohol.

No change in consumption will be seen.

[sprq]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

Duh, the EU exports vast quantities of wines and spirits to Thailand, especially, duh, Scotch whisky, and is therefore legitimately concerned that ugly health warnings stuck on its member countries' products will deter Thai customers from buying them and thereby have a negative effect on export income. Duh, got it?

[bongoz]

Thailand likely has the highest rate of alcoholism in the world. And guess where the alcoholics come from ? I am not talking about the Thais. A very small percentage compared to the lovely Euros.

Nah that would be Luxembourg... Thailand isn't even in the top 30

[catterwell]

Just heavily tax the alcohol content of beverages. Nothing more; nothing less. Obvious! Easy?

[Chicken George]

If Thailand cared the Lao Kao would be say 400baht a bottle and beer which is less harmful 35 baht. That would enable many Thais to switch to beer..

[Prbkk]

What on earth has Thailands alcohol health warnings got to do with the EU?

The labels will have to be added to the bottles during bottling which is a massive pain in the backside because the volumes of spirits sold to Thailand other than whiskies is relatively small.

This is just blatent protectionism on the part of Thailand. They don't give a damn about anyone's health when it comes too booze, but they do want to keep foreign spirits out of Thailand. As if putting those stupid excise stamps isn't enough hassle, now the label itslef is going to have to be printed and fixed specifically for Thailand in the bottling line. A real pain.

All part of 'Fortress Thailand': don't drink imported booze, eat rice not bread, ban anything in competition with tobacco monopoly. Xenophobia and voodoo economics.

[northernjohn]

Specific labeling for certain countries does cut into a company's profits due to special bottling/labeling required versus being able to use the same bottle/label all over the world. And it could have the impact of some foreign companies deciding selling their goods in Thailand is not worth the extra cost. Of course that makes Thai alcoholic manufacturers happy due to less competition....and it could make Thai bottlers happy if the foreign company decides to ship over bulk containers/barrels to be rebottled in Thailand. Some countries consider such actions as a form of trade barriers.

It basically will hurt independent importers massively.

They won't be able to buy stock lots of wine or booze and ship them here. It will all have to be relabelled.

Just imagine what that does for the wine industry.

No problem they will just sell it elsewhere and wait for the stuff with the stupid labels to be bottled and send that here.

[Petchou]

Funny enough. Some see the devil in every action in Thailand.

The truth and reality is that western alcohol European companies don't care about the health of other countries citizen. That's the only reason to oppose Thai authorities decision to put warnings on alcohol products. They are concerned to make money only.

Actually, the Western countries don't care about the citizens of rest of the world period. They are always supporters and creators in many cases of many dictatorship regimes, they always plot to oppose any tentative of people to become free and independent. They are still stealing the resources of third world countries and they are good at giving lessons to others. They should go see themselves in mirror.

Edited October 22, 2014 by Petchou

[Don Aleman]

Well, along with bans on smoking, gambling, pay for use sex, Pattaya will, once again become a quaint fishing village with tons of high rise "shacks" !

[Jungle Jim]

Sounds like paradise to me. Scum City would fall !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea!

Well, along with bans on smoking, gambling, pay for use sex, Pattaya will, once again become a quaint fishing village with tons of high rise "shacks" !