Ban on alcohol sales at govt offices comes info force today
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A new regulation prohibiting the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages on the premises of government offices and state enterprises, which came into force on Thursday, will possibly minimise overall drinking at a certain level, according to a health
Dr Samarn Footrakul, director of the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said the regulation, which is an addition to the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, clarifies the situation once and for all.
Prior to the addition of the regulation, it was unclear whether it was legal or not for government agencies and state enterprises to allow the sales and distribution of alcoholic drinks on their premises.
However, clubhouses on their premises are allowed to sell and distribute alcoholic drinks as usual.
The ban is extended to areas around the premises of government offices and state enterprises.
Dr Samarn said the ban might reduce the drinking volume to a small degree while traders will continue to intensify their marketing promotions to lure younger drinkers.
A survey found that the success rate of teenagers in buying alcoholic beverages is 98.7 per cent.
They can easily buy alcoholic drinks during daytime and at night at grocery stores, convenience stores and department stores, he said, adding that the imposed time limit for sales of alcoholic drinks has not been strictly enforced.
“It shows our weakness in enforcing the law including the age limit on buyers and time limit on traders,” he concluded.
