Hazardous alcoholic consumption deprives valuable resources to meet the urgent needs of health care and development in Vietnam.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the Vietnamese’s consumption of alcoholic beverages is higher than that of other countries in the region, Vnexpress cited a report as saying.

On average, each Vietnamese aged 15 and more consumes 8.3 liters of pure alcohol per year, equivalent to the level of Thai people, more than that of the Chinese and the Singaporeans.

The corresponding figures in Mongolia is 7.4 liters, China 7.2, Cambodia 6.7, the Philippines 6.6 and Singapore 2.0. 

The use of wine and beer in Vietnam is estimated to cause 79,000 deaths in 2016. Hundreds of thousand people have been hospitalized for alcohol-related diseases.

These numbers were announced at a meeting on July 18 between the Ministry of Health and the Consultative Group for Health, mentioning the draft law on wine and beer harm reduction.

WHO believes that the harmful use of alcoholic beverages is a major factor contributing to the burden of non-communicable diseases. It is also a risk factor for road traffic accidents, violence and injuries.

WHO's Chief Representative in Vietnam Dr. Kidong Park said that hazardous alcoholic consumption deprives valuable resources to meet the urgent needs of health care and development in Vietnam. It has serious economic and social consequences, with total damage due to alcoholic consumption in Vietnam is equivalent to 1.3-3.3% of gross domestic product.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that the use of wine and beer in Vietnam has caused serious consequences for drinkers' health and the community. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the harmful effects of alcoholic use, thereby reducing the burden on the health system.

Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO’s regional director for the Western Pacific, sent a letter to the conference for a vigorous action to limit the harmful effects of alcoholic use, and improve the Vietnamese’s health.

Prices of alcoholic beverages need to be raised

WHO recommends that Vietnam should increase prices of alcoholic beverages. Evidence shows that higher prices will help to reduce the use of wine and beer at the risk of alcoholic drinkers in general and teenagers in particular. At the same time, the death rate caused by wine and beer consumption will also decrease.

It is necessary to limit the availability and ease of purchase for alcoholic beverages by regulating the density of the selling points by strict licensing mechanisms, limiting the number of days and hours allowed to sell alcoholic beverages, determining the minimum age of people who can buy or use alcoholic beverages, the organization suggested.

Advertisements for alcoholic beverages affect young people a lot. If implemented effectively, restricting or prohibiting the advertisements for alcoholic beverages can reduce consumption, especially among adolescents, WHO added.

According to WHO’s estimate, in 2018, each dollar spent to implement effective measures to prevent harm caused by the use of alcoholic beverages will yield benefits worth US$9.13.

The draft law on alcoholic beverage prevention has been formulated by the Ministry of Health, consisting of six chapters, 22 articles, including harm reduction measures, reduction of consumption, control of alcoholic supply. 

The Ministry of Health proposes banning beer advertisement, in addition to controlling alcoholic advertisement currently. At the mean time, the ministry will regulate the number of days and hours allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.

Hanoitimes