The harmful use of alcohol has been a national concern for decades. The issue was raised for deliberation by the National Councilās (NC) Good Governance CommitĀtee (GGC) on January 7 at the on-going 22nd session of NC.
In the interim report on the review of harmful use of alcohol in the country preĀsented by GGC, it presented that Bhutan is believed to have the highest per capita drinking prevalence in the South East Asia regions of the World Health OrganizaĀtion member countries. The report stated, āthe per capita consumption of pure alcohol for Bhutanese was estimatĀed at 8.47 in 2010 for 15 years and above, which is more than the global consumption of 6.2 liters.ā
It was learnt in the sesĀsion that the excessive use of alcohol in the country is an alarming issue being a threat to Gross National Happiness despite the govĀernmentās continuous counĀter measures. The alcohol related problems have been triggering various problems including health, social and economic.
The report stated that alĀcohol liver disease has been a leading cause of death in the country with a total of 514 deaths between 2015 and 2017. It also stated that the alcohol is among the top killĀer disease as per the health records.
Apart from health, alcohol has been a significant cause of domestic violence. ReĀspect, Educate , Nurture, and Empower Women (RENEW) recorded a total of 70 percent of the 3261 cases of domestic violence between 2004 and 2017 which were committed under the influence of alcoĀhol.
According to Global based student Health Survey reĀport 2016, 24.2 percent of the respondents between 13 to 17 years of age are known to have abused alcohol, of which 10.1 percent are found to have involved in anti-soĀcial activities.
The interim report also stated that approximately 7 percent of road accidents in the country are attributed to drink driving. The report showed that Royal Bhutan Police recorded 8627 traffic violation cases related to alĀcohol from 2013 to July 2018.
Not only that, the country also incurred economic burĀden due to alcohol consumpĀtions amounting to around 5 bn while the economic reĀturns was estimated to be at 1 bn according to the report. The health ministry spent about Nu 25 mn in 2015 and Nu. 27 mn in 2016 for the treatment of the patients with alcohol related diseases.
The preliminary findings presented in the session statĀed that the factors affecting the excessive use of alcohol in the country are poor comĀpliance with laws, weak coorĀdination among implementĀing agencies, lack of family support, availability and afĀfordability, cultural belief and perception and availĀability of more leisure hours.
With concern, GGC proĀposed the house to conduct more consultation meetĀings with the stakeholders to understand the issue, make field visits to different Dzongkhags and institutions to meet the Local GovernĀment (LG) officials, parents and students to study the cause, and ascertain its key determinants.
The house discussed about having to explore some of the policy intervenĀtions and reviewing certain regulations including the zero tolerance on Friday, dry day on Tuesday, and the timĀings for the sale of alcohol among others.
Lhuentseās NC member, Tempa Dorji talked about the need to review bar timĀings. He added, āThe sale of alcohol is between 1 pm to 10 pm but the alcohols are sold before 1 pm. Moreover discotheque and drayangs also sell alcohol after 10 pmā. He concluded that the matĀter be studied and reviewed according to convenience of the businesses, so that there would not be issues of non ā compliance with the current law.
The members also disĀcussed about providing more awareness programs to the people, making laws more stringent and providĀing more alternative options including recreational faciliĀties.
Few NC members suggestĀed on having a recent report since the interim report preĀsented was based on studies conducted a decade before. Gasaās NC member, Dorji Khandu said, āThe reports in my hands are of 2010 and of 2012, if we could get the latĀest report that would be more useful.ā He added that the latest report could be helpĀful in reviewing the issue and strategizing the counter measures.
The committee will presĀent the full review findings and will be deliberated in the 23rd session of NC this sumĀmer.
By Kinley Wangchuk