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EDITORIAL
'Zoning' won't stop children from drinking
The Nation

More comprehensive measures are needed to curb teenage alcohol use

BANGKOK: -- The battle to prevent youngsters from drinking is an arduous one, perhaps tougher even than curbing alcohol consumption among adults. The snag is that while authorities perceive underage drinking to be a problem, the young drinkers see it as a rite of passage and a pleasure. Over the years, measures aimed at placing the bottle out of children's reach have met with little success. The government now reckons it has the answer in the shape of a ban on the sale of alcohol close to schools and colleges.

The National Alcoholic Drinks Policy Board has decided to outlaw the sale of alcoholic drinks within 300 metres of educational institutions. The ban will cover grocery and convenience stores but exclude hotels and popular entertainment zones like RCA and the Ratchada area.

Critics have greeted the idea with scepticism, doubting that the imposition of a 300-metre "dry" zone will be any deterrent to underage drinking.

It is true, however, that teenage students can often be seen drinking after class near their schools or universities. A study cited by the Stop Drink Network counted 1,712 places to buy alcohol within a 500-metre radius of 15 universities in Bangkok. Perhaps this ready availability of booze plays a role in luring youngsters to drink, though we must also recognise that, without a demand for their products, the vendors wouldn't be there in the first place.

The sale of alcohol near schools is indeed a chicken-and-egg situation. But banning it within a 300-metre radius won't break that cycle. For proof, just ask any "thirsty" teen whether he would be put off by having to travel an extra few hundred metres for a drink.

Another problem with the ban is that youngsters could perceive it as a licence to drink outside the 300-metre radius. And there would be nothing to stop vendors setting up shop just outside the alcohol-exclusion zone to take advantage.

Access to alcohol has never been a problem for drinkers. A 2003 survey found a proportion of one pub for every 110 people in Bangkok, and that ratio must be much higher by now.

To avoid adding to the stack of failed measures, the National Alcoholic Drinks Policy Board will first have to step up its work, coordinating with educational institutions and the police.

The reality is that underage drinking is a problem not confined to the streets around schools and colleges. It exists everywhere. Though the Alcohol Consumption Control Act has been in place since 2003, the law is not being properly enforced, and agencies tasked with policing alcohol consumption have shown little stamina for the fight.

Under the latest measure, those caught violating the prohibition on selling alcohol in "dry" zones face fines of up to Bt10,000 or a six-month jail term. This measure alone is not enough. The "demand" side of the equation must also be dealt with. Prospective underage drinkers must be deterred with the threat of fines or custodial sentences. Meanwhile youngsters should be targeted with a permanent publicity campaign stressing the dangers to health.

The alcohol-free zones will only be effective in preventing youngsters from drinking if they are part of a wider policy that's backed up by political commitment. Here, all of us have a role to play. Unless everyone shares the same goal, we have no hope of curbing the dangers that alcohol consumption can bring, whether in teens or in adults.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Zoning-wont-stop-children-from-drinking-30264469.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-15

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

'Another problem with the ban is that youngsters could perceive it as a licence to drink outside the 300-metre radius. And there would be nothing to stop vendors setting up shop just outside the alcohol-exclusion zone'

The blockheads in charge probably never thought about that

[MB1]

'Another problem with the ban is that youngsters could perceive it as a licence to drink outside the 300-metre radius. And there would be nothing to stop vendors setting up shop just outside the alcohol-exclusion zone'

The blockheads in charge probably never thought about that

They could set up a ten kilometre zone, nothing will change, if they want to drink they will travel to where they can, whether it be a bar, mop and pop or a private party..... All this ban will do is discriminate against vendors who don't sell to the underage who sell alcohol and ruin their buisness, will the government compensate them...NO.....Oh well TIT....but saying that it aint the only country to have ideas....

[jaywalker]

I lived in Kuwait for 5 years & booze is banned EVERYWHERE.

It 1,000% categorically does not work. Booze is everywhere there.

Edited July 14, 2015 by jaywalker

[NongKhaiKid]

From what little I know of existing laws they are adequate IF enforced.

New laws are worthless unless also correctly enforced and not just an excuse for tea money.

[canuckamuck]

What is the percentage of high school and university students without a motorcycle? Probably close to one percent. How long does it take to drive 300m on a motorcycle? 1 min? 30 sec?

All they do with this new law is hurt local businesses that previously sold alcohol.

[masquerade]

Yet still no mention of the illegal made whiskey of which the BIB and many politicians are making megabucks out of by controlling the manufacture and sale of the poison. The young ones drink bucket loads of the crap anywhere they want.

[Kannikapor88]

From what little I know of existing laws they are adequate IF enforced.

New laws are worthless unless also correctly enforced and not just an excuse for tea money.

How very true ... Laws are useless when police are useless - they will not do anything unless they are "rewarded" for their efforts ... seems like their salary is not enough - they should find them self another job, ups wait not possible with the skills they have ...

[FangFerang]

Passing laws to prevent college students from drinking and sex are like passing laws to make every day a sunny, clean and innocent experience.

Waste of time, and the politically incorrect student groups pushing for such laws do not, themselves, drink.

[Ulic]

Of course it won't work. It just means they will have to ride there scooters to the nearest shop.

And sometimes they will be drunk when they do.

[h90]

It is not about children it is about college students who should have every right to decide themself.

[wabothai]

In the old days you only were considered a real young man if you smoked (and no smoking for ladies).

Today it is smoking and alcohol which makes the man feel "cool".

Marlborough man rings a bell?

[wabothai]

It is not stoppable !!

[sammygood]

again, education education education ....

lacking in this country