A beer advertisement being taken down on July 18 in Banan district of Battambang province. Photo_ Banan District Governor Sokha Sreng _ Facebook

by Sreyleak
July 19, 2024

PHNOM PENH – Social analysts have strongly backed government orders that alcohol advertisements in public be taken down. However, they have urged the government to speed up implementation of the draft bill on alcohol control.

Interior Minister Sar Sokha on July 8 ordered all governors to review and terminate all contracts on alcohol advertisements along roads and in public sites.

The minister cited Kampong Speu province as an example, where alcohol advertisements had been replaced with tourism billboards.

“However, only the law on alcohol control would ensure the efficiency of the measure and the work on controlling alcohol,” said social analyst Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy.

A man taking down a beer advertisement on July 7 in Boeng Tranh Khang Cheung Commune, Takeo province. Photo_ Administration of Boeng Tranh Khang Cheung Commune _ Facebook

Chanroeun said Vietnam and Thailand were already implementing alcohol control laws. The sooner Cambodia passes the draft bill, the sooner it will prevent problems caused by alcohol.

Philosophy expert Chhot Bunthong showed support for governors who had started cooperating to reduce alcohol consumption and traffic accidents by taking down alcohol advertisements along roads.

Bunthong said this helped to reduce traffic accidents, domestic violence, health issues caused by alcohol consumption, and costs of alcoholic drinks.

“Alcohol billboards last so long, and children and young people have seen all these advertisements,” he said.

“Even foreigners who visit Cambodia saw those and would think the country value alcohol consumption.”

At the same time, Chanroeun praised the government for starting to respond to excessive alcohol exposures to the public and social media and excessive consumption among the population.

A man taking down a beer advertisement on July 7 in Boeng Tranh Khang Cheung Commune, Takeo province. Photo_ Administration of Boeng Tranh Khang Cheung Commune _ Facebook

Both analysts suggested that alcohol advertisements should be replaced with educational messages about Buddhism or national development policies.

This would strengthen and spread knowledge among the public. Chanroeun added that age should also be taken into consideration for alcohol consumers.

Alcohol advertisements have been taken down also in Takeo, Kratie, Stung Treng, and Battambang provinces. Tourism posters are to replace alcohol on billboards.

The government established the Alcohol Control Working Group in late April, chaired by Information Minister Neth Pheaktra. The group’s mission is to maintain the order of alcohol advertisements among companies that sell, produce and advertise alcohol.

Despite being drafted in 2015, the official alcohol control law has not been implemented. Key provisions include prohibiting alcohol sales to individuals under 21, pregnant women, and intoxicated persons, and banning alcohol sales between midnight and 6am.

The draft bill restricts alcohol sales in healthcare facilities, educational institutions, sports clubs, religious sites, public parks, workplaces and student dormitories.