Protection of alcohol control policies from the influence of free trade agreement

Abstract

 Due to complexity and profit-driven nature of global trade, this research utilized analysis of alcohol import statistics and in-depth interviews with relevant academicians and key persons from NGO organizations.  Research results indicated that 1) General situation, alcoholic beverages imported were from European Union countries mostly.  Some countries took advantages of being ASEAN members, and gained the benefits of zero custom tax.  Specific situation, in the southern region where Muslim in the three southern provinces had less strict Islamic religion commitment, Islamic youths drunk halal beer, because of influenced from advertisement and easy access to the duty free zone. 2) Alcohol control policy should treat alcoholic beverages products as no ordinary commodity, and therefore, should be exempted from any free trade agreement negotiations. 3) Surveillance of alcohol control policies in ASEAN should be monitored by NGO organizations, local media networks, Excise department officials and youths networks,  These should be coordinated, and collaborated with provincial public health officials.   Surveillance direction should be prepared by NGOs, informing the public about interference of trans-national alcohol industry, corruption of politicians or government officials, and conflict of interest among government officials in patronage system.  In the past, NGOs network submitted an open letter to the Minister of Public Health, in opposing the alcoholic beverage companies representatives who were part of business entourage under the US-ASEAN Business Council.  The trans-national alcohol industry representatives planned to dismantle domestic alcohol control measures and hinder/obstruct the issuance of graphic health warning labels on alcohol beverage bottles, including the measures to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages around schools and universities.  Thai policy interferences by trans-national alcohol industry was conducted through various front groups (nominies), such as ICAP or TABBA,  NGOs would like the Ministry of Public Health to stand firm on public health position, and should not permit any opportunities for meeting with trans-national alcohol industry representatives, and  4) Thailand should join the international community in establishing the Framework Convention on Alcohol Control (FCAC).

The recommendations are to emphasize alcohol problems as a global problem.  Everyone should be aware that "No level of alcohol is safe."  Therefore, there must be a strict surveillance and monitoring.  In the near future, the free trade agreements in ASEAN will allow all non-ASEAN countries to join the trade agreement, Including the Trans-Pacific area countries, The social sector and the Thai government should adjust the focal point, and strengthen domestic alcohol control policy and law, by controlling the alcohol industry, controlling alcoholic market, for both large and small producers, and control consumption, without any situation indicating unfair practices and/or free trade barriers.   At the global level, Thailand must coordinate and collaborate in establishing a Framework Convention on Alcohol Control (FCAC).