𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥-𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

…𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏.

By Yeshi Dolma and Zhenphen Chokden

Bhutan continues to grapple with a substantial health and economic burden due to alcohol-related harm. With 9,717 active alcohol-selling establishments across the country- roughly one for every 75 people- alcohol remains one of the most accessible commodities in the nation. This widespread availability has contributed to various social and public health problems, including addiction, premature death, family disputes, and traffic accidents. According to the Ministry of Health, alcohol consumption imposes a significant strain on both the healthcare system and society at large.
“Alcohol remains a major public health concern,” said the Health Minister. “It is responsible for significant loss of life, strain on healthcare resources, and social disruption.”

The impact of alcohol abuse is both extensive and costly. Bhutan is estimated to lose Nu. 6.5 billion annually due to alcohol-related harm, approximately 2.6 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Direct costs are estimated at Nu. 2.5 billion, covering healthcare expenses, crime, and traffic accidents. An additional Nu. 4 billion is lost indirectly through reduced productivity, disability, and premature deaths.

Alcoholic liver disease remains a leading cause of death, and alcohol-related mental and behavioral disorders have nearly doubled since 2019, as highlighted in the recent Annual Health Bulletins. In 2023 alone, alcohol contributed to nearly 10 percent of the 1,062 road traffic accidents recorded by the Royal Bhutan Police. A hospital-based study at JDWNRH further revealed that 37 percent of all injury cases tested positive for alcohol.

“These statistics reflect more than just numbers. They represent lives lost, families disrupted, and added pressure on Bhutan’s already strained health system,” the Health Minister emphasized.

To address this growing concern, the government has implemented several key strategies under three main areas: awareness and education, healthcare interventions, and regulating availability. Nationwide public campaigns and school-based programs have been launched to inform and educate the public, particularly the youth, about the risks of alcohol misuse. Efforts are being made in partnership with community leaders, youth networks, and civil society organizations to promote alcohol-free events and encourage positive behavioral change.

Alcohol screening and brief intervention services have been integrated into primary healthcare delivery. Health facilities across all levels now offer brief interventions such as counseling, assessment, and referrals to higher centers. District and referral hospitals provide additional services, including detoxification and treatment for alcohol use disorders. Detoxification services are accessible at all district hospitals, and rehabilitation services are available through civil society organizations, including the Chithuen Phendhey Association and the Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, the Ministry is pushing for tighter control over alcohol outlets by regulating their number and operating hours. The proposed reintroduction of designated alcohol-free “dry days” aims to help curb alcohol-related issues. “Efforts are also underway to ensure strict enforcement against alcohol sales to minors,” said the Health Minister. “This includes mandatory CID verification at bars and entertainment venues to prevent underage access to alcohol.”

The Ministry is also working closely with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) and the Bhutan Transport and Construction Authority (BCTA) to tackle drink-driving. The initiative includes increasing sobriety checkpoints, enhancing penalties, and continuing public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drinking and driving. A proposal has been submitted to the BCTA to lower the permissible Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit in breath tests for drivers from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent, aligning with international best practices to reduce road accidents caused by impaired driving.

Efforts are being made to involve religious institutions in alcohol prevention. The Ministry is engaging with religious leaders to integrate alcohol prevention messages into religious teachings, rituals, and community activities. This includes incorporating such messages into practices like Moenlam Chhenmo and household rituals in rural villages. Monks from Zhung Dratshang and Choedhey Lhentshog, including all Drungchens and health coordinators, are being trained to deliver health education focusing on non-communicable disease risk factors, particularly the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use.

To address concerns over home-brewed and locally produced alcohol, the Ministry is advocating for local governments to develop community-based guidelines promoting safer brewing practices. Additionally, there are efforts to regulate the number and location of alcohol outlets to reduce overall accessibility. Increasing the excise tax on alcoholic beverages is another strategy to make alcohol less affordable, discouraging excessive consumption.

Looking ahead, the long-term strategy to address alcohol-related harm is grounded in health equity, prevention, and multisectoral collaboration. The key strategic directions include formulating a multisectoral action plan with relevant stakeholders, building on the lessons learned from the 2015–2020 framework. This plan also focuses on advocating for an increase in alcohol taxes and exploring minimum pricing policies to reduce affordability and discourage excessive consumption.

The Ministry is also working with the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) to strengthen the prohibition of alcohol advertising. In addition, there are ongoing efforts to enhance early detection and treatment of alcohol use disorder, as well as collaboration with civil society organizations and NGOs to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals affected by alcohol dependency.

“We are committed to tackling this issue from all angles and ensuring a healthier, safer future for our citizens,” the Health Minister concluded.