Representatives of 22 civil society organisations (CSOs) have requested that the government expedite the passage of a law on the control of alcohol, in order to reduce the harm done by alcohol, both to public health and through road accidents.

A government spokesman said although the law is not yet in place, the government has taken a series of measures.

The proposal, made via a joint February 18 statement following a meeting by representatives of NGOs, CSOs and community associations, urged the government to speed up the law on alcohol products, as well as tax increases and advertising restrictions.

The meeting was also attended by intellectuals, monks, professional drivers and community leaders.

To reduce the mortality rate caused by alcohol-related effects, the signatories requested that the government expedite a draft law on the control of alcohol products, which was drafted and referred to an inter-ministerial board on July 8, 2015, for submission to the Cabinet and then National Assembly for approval.

“Bans on advertising, tax increases and restrictions on the availability of alcohol products should be clearly stated in this law. The adoption of this law is to promote the 17 sustainable development goals [SDGs] that the government supports, especially the third goal, on welfare and public health,” said the statement.

It added that alcohol abuse causes serious traffic accidents, as well as domestic violence, community insecurity and more than 200 diseases such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and the risk of stroke. 

“Alcohol has a serious impact on public health and social morality,” it continued.

Yang Kim Eng, president of the People Centre for Development and Peace, said alcohol should not be considered a normal beverage, as it affects the health and safety of the community.

“We are not demanding a law banning people from drinking, but a control over alcohol-related hazards. We would like to see the government review the draft law, which has been stuck since 2015, and submit it to the National Assembly for approval,” he added.

Kim Eng believes the law needs to include several important elements, especially a ban on alcohol advertising, higher taxes and a minimum age requirement for the purchase of alcohol.

He added that the law would be an important tool for addressing social issues and protecting all stakeholders, including vulnerable, high-risk groups and especially young people, who would eventually contribute to national development.

In response to the request, government spokesman Pen Bona acknowledged on February 18 that the draft law on alcohol control has been discussed for many years but has not yet materialised, due to the involvement of multiple parties.

“Normally, CSOs see only one side, and they want to push a law through very quickly. The government has to examine all angles, including its possible effects and implications for all stakeholders. This means extensive consultation and considerations must be conducted before a law is passed,” he said.

He added that the issue of alcohol is not only a problem in Cambodia, but across the entire world. 

“The government is not just waiting for the implementation of the law. It is actively working to prevent traffic accidents caused by alcohol,” he continued.

He pointed out that many circulars, sub-decrees and other guidelines related to the promotion of alcohol advertising, as well as strict fines for drunk drivers, have been released.

Bona said the Ministry of Information is currently working with the health and commerce ministries to develop a clear code of conduct on the management of alcohol advertising.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2022, alcohol causes an estimated 3 million deaths worldwide each year, equivalent to one death every 10 seconds.

In 2023, Cambodia saw a total of 1,590 lives lost to traffic accidents, said the report. In 2019 – the last year figures were available – alcohol-related accidents and reduced productivity cost the economy as much as $466.8 million, it added.