The
Thai tourism industry's efforts to promote more niche-market visitors is set to
take a step forward when the Global Alcohol Policy Conference convenes in
Bangkok between Feb 13-15 this year.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Public
Health, the World Health Organisation, the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and
the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the conference is part of worldwide
follow-up efforts to implement the WHO Global Strategy on Alcohol, which was
adopted by the Global Health Assembly in May 2010. The conference will bring
together policymakers, advocates, academics, and campaigners who are committed
to working towards the development and implementation of effective alcohol
policy free from commercial influence.
Speakers will discuss a broad range of
detrimental impacts of alcohol abuse and misuse, such as on health, economies,
families and societies. A Kenyan delegate is to discuss the impact of alcohol
use among police officers and a Laotian delegate will discuss the linkage
between alcohol and domestic violence.
Alongside the main event, conference delegates
will be offered a choice of six field trips to alcohol prevention and control
initiatives or models in Thailand. These include the Santi Asoke Community, the
Sum Rae Community and the Phra Mongkut 9 Hospital.
Although Thailand is not exactly known as a
place for programmes to control alcohol-related problems, the fact that such
facilities exist in the country and are being exhibited to international
delegates, could open up a whole new world of opportunity for promoters of
health and wellness tourism.
According to the conference website, One of
the most exciting moments of GAPC will be the eye-opening field trips
showcasing advocacy and community actions designed to explore the successful
and on-going policy approaches covering proactive and reactive prevention
interventions for alcohol-related problems in various settings.
The six sites have been chosen because the
combine a number of different solutions for alchol-related problems. For
example, the Santi Asoke is alcohol-free community based on religious beliefs
and strong leadership; the Sum Rae community has a community-based "Reduce
and Quit" programme where role models who have quit drinking and other
community members encourage and offer support to other drinkers to quit, and
the Phra Mongkut 9 hospital offers treatment of alcohol-use disorders and
rehabilitation, including Alcoholics Anonymous programmes.
Three other field trips include the Klong Lat
Mayom Floating Market, an alcohol- and smoking-free market; the Thai Health
Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) which has an innovative financing mechanism
for well-being including the reduction of alcohol consumption and Asia
Precision Co Ltd where all workers and staff are encouraged to good deeds for
His Majesty the King by reducing, refraining and quitting the three vices _
drinking, smoking and gambling.
Although the tourism industry itself is a
major consumer of alcohol and contributor to alcohol-related problems, such as
drunk-driving deaths in the resort islands, refraining from alcohol consumption
is a very important part of existing health and wellness programmes.
Paradoxically, people come to Thailand both to drink, as well as to break away
from drink.
According to the World Health Organisation,
the harmful use of alcohol results in 2.5 million deaths each year, with
320,000 young people between the age of 15 and 29 die from alcohol-related
causes, resulting in 9% of all deaths in that age group.
Harmful drinking is also a major avoidable
risk factor for non-communicable diseases, in particular cardiovascular
diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. It is also associated
with various infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and TB, as well as road traffic
accidents, violence and suicides.
Says the WHO, "In emerging markets and
among younger groups increased consumption is apparent. Effective policy is not
implemented as widely as is needed. A concerted effort in controlling
alcohol-related harm is greatly needed and will involve multiple partners,
including academia, civil society organisations and government bodies. Global
cooperation can play a significant role in supporting and complementing
worldwide national and local actions."
In May 2010, the WHO adopted the resolution by
unanimous consensus of all 193 member states of the WHO. In addition, a global
strategy developed in collaboration with member states provides a portfolio of
policy options and interventions for implementation at national level with the
goal to reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide. The resolution endorses
the strategy and urges countries to complement and support national responses
to public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol.
Ten recommended target areas for policy
options include health services' responses, community action, pricing policies
and reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally
produced alcohol. WHO was also requested to support countries in implementing
the strategy and monitor progress at global, regional and national levels.
"The resolution and the strategy set priority areas for global action,
provide guidance to countries and give a strong mandate to WHO to strengthen
action at all levels on reducing harmful use of alcohol," says WHO
assistant director-general Dr Ala Alwan.
Imtiaz Muqbil
Bangkok Post Business
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