Laos faces rising crisis of underage drinking
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Students are among the heaviest drinkers in Laos, leading to high levels of violence among youths and affecting their education, according to a government official.
Underage drinking has long posed a problem in Laos, where alcohol is cheap and often readily available regardless of age.
Phonchan Saengphouvan, an official of the Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism Department, told the Vientiane Times on Wednesday that underage drinking was common at restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues.
“A lack of strict rules and educational campaigns are the main reasons these students cannot keep themselves away from drinking alcohol,” he said.
Phonchan said it was easy to spot the problem as many students drank in their school uniforms.
According to a World Health Organisation report, Laos ranks top in the Asean region for alcohol consumption, at an average rate of 7 litres per person per year.
Young people are among the heaviest drinkers in the country, however little has been done to confront the growing problem.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has previously attempted to shut down bars close to the National University of Laos and other education institutes, but the move has done little to slow consumption.
“Students cannot make money while they are studying and are financially reliant on their parents for support. But instead of spending their parent’s money on education, they spend it on alcohol,” said Phonchan.
