Assessing Enforcement of Policy on Limiting Alcohol Accessibility and Alcohol Purchasing - การประเมินผลการบังคับใช้มาตรการจำกัดการเข้าถึงและการหาซื้อเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮล์

Abstract

          This study was aimed at evaluating the enforcement of laws on limiting alcohol accessibility (place, time, and age limited) in Thailand. A cross-sectional household survey was carried out throughout the country. Two thousand three hundred and sixty eight persons, aged 15 - 60 years, who remained employed in 7 days, at least, 7 days prior to the interview, and ever consumed alcohol beverage during the past 12 months, were interviewed about time and place they purchased alcohol.

          It was found that about 71.1per cent and 8.0 per cent of the samples indicated that the latest places they purchased alcohol were grocery stores, and convenient stores, respectively. However, about 0.4 per cent indicated that the latest place they purchased alcohol was convenient stores located in gas station, which was the place that alcohol selling was prohibited. On time of purchasing, it was found that most of the samples (34.2%) purchased alcohol during 6.00-6.59 pm. However, about 10.4 per cent of the samples indicated that they purchased alcohol during the prohibited times (02.01 - 04.59 pm. and 00.01-10.59 am.) It was found that about 0.9 percent of those who purchased alcohol were 15-17 years old, which was lower than 18 years old allowed by law. Based on these findings, government and related organizations should put more effort to ensure stringent enforcement on the related laws and may also extend to prohibit purchasing at place and time of high demand if need be in order to effectively control and limit the alcohol accessibility.

Key words: alcohol, law enforcement, accessibility, purchasing