Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 18 - Addressing Cambodia’s public health and alcohol landscape, stakeholders from the government, industry and civil society met to discuss and develop the Cambodia Alcohol Policy White Paper—a comprehensive framework aimed at tackling and reducing harmful alcohol consumption in Cambodia.
The White Paper, set for publication on 24 March 2025, will outline a roadmap for nationwide reforms to Cambodia’s alcohol regulatory and policy frameworks, aligning them with global and regional best practices to ensure effective governance and public health protection.
On March 6, representatives from the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud of the Ministry of Commerce, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Cambodia, the Wine Spirits Beer Importer and Distributor Association, Asian Vision Institute and the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute together participated in a dialogue workshop to consider new data from a survey of the Cambodian public on social attitudes to alcohol, a review of the existing policy landscape in Cambodia and global policy best practice, and recommendations.
Survey Findings on Social Attitudes to Alcohol
According to Kirin Holdings' 2023 report, Cambodia's per capita beer consumption is approximately 57 litres annually, equating to about 90.1 cans per person each year. This places Cambodia 34th globally in per-capita beer consumption. This drinking habit raises potential public health concerns among the community, underscoring the need for urgent policy intervention.
Chandara Gnim, Chief Executive Officer of MM4A, presented study findings spanning all major regions in Cambodia—including the capital, plains, Tonle Sap, plateau and mountain, and coastal areas—based on a survey of 1,363 respondents aged 18 and above.
She reported that 86% of respondents had consumed alcohol, with male drinkers significantly outnumbering females, highlighting a strong prevalence of alcohol use, especially among men. She also pointed to the issue of underage drinking, noting that 13% of respondents had their first alcoholic drink before turning 18.
Additionally, she observed that most alcohol consumption occurs at home, particularly during community and family gatherings, rather than in bars or restaurants.
"Another alarming statistic from the survey revealed that 33% of drinkers admitted to drink-driving, with males being more likely to engage in this behaviour," she emphasized. This underscores the urgent need for strict drink-driving laws and the enforcement of low blood alcohol concentration limits to address the issue effectively.
In February 2024, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, in a cabinet meeting, directed the competent authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of alcohol advertising, particularly those displayed on public billboards. He also instructed the Ministry of Information to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Commerce in formulating a distinct code of conduct tailored for alcohol advertising.
The review aims to play a pivotal role in mitigating traffic accidents attributed to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Economic Challenges and Current Regulatory Landscape
Ed Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute, briefed that the multi stakeholder dialogue concentrated on two key themes: promoting moderation and tackling harmful consumption. Citing global and regional best practices, considering how these policies can be effectively localized, prioritized, and phased in over time was one of the objectives of the collaboration.
“We are looking to support the development of policy areas by drawing on lessons from around the world. This is not just a Cambodia problem, but also a global challenge that countries must address in different ways,” he said.
Cambodia has undergone a dramatic transformation in its alcohol consumption patterns over the past two decades. According to Cambodia Alcoholic Drinks Market Outlook to 2029, the expansion of the alcohol market, valued at approximately USD 900 million in 2023, has been fuelled by increasing disposable income, a thriving tourism sector, and a shifting consumer preference toward premium beverages.
In this regard, Chheng Kimlong, Director of the Asian Vision Institute, highlighted that based on 2010 data, alcohol consumption in Cambodia is projected to double by 2032. This surge, potentially increasing at a rate of 18%, outpaces both per capita GDP growth and overall economic expansion. With these figures, he acknowledged the challenges arise in balancing economic potential, sustained growth, and social consequences.
He stated, “our dialogue with the government aims to promote a fairly playing field among the producers and suppliers of alcoholic drinks in Cambodia.”
When asked about plans to increase alcohol taxes, Kimlong stated that the government has no immediate intention to do so. However, he noted that higher taxes on energy drinks may be considered first, given the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
Meanwhile, the increasing prevalence of alcohol-related non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and liver disorders, is straining Cambodia’s healthcare system. In response, the Royal Government of Cambodia has pledged to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, ensuring accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for all—a commitment aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by other nations.
Although drafted in 2015, a proposed law, which sets the minimum legal drinking age at 21 and prohibits the sale of alcohol to those underage, with penalties for violations, is still in progress.
Chheng Kimlong believed that the drafting of Cambodia’s alcohol control law has been ongoing for the past decade, delayed by four key factors: its complexity, medicinal use considerations, implementation and resource allocation, and sustainability in the hospitality and tourism sector.
He explained the four key challenges as follow:
1. Complexity of Regulation – Crafting a comprehensive legal framework requires balancing public health priorities with economic and social factors, making the process intricate and time-consuming.
2. Medicinal and Cultural Considerations – Alcohol is used in certain traditional and medicinal practices, raising concerns about how regulations might affect cultural customs and traditional medicine.
3. Implementation and Resource Allocation – Effective enforcement requires substantial financial and human resources.
4. Impact on the Hospitality and Tourism Sector – As alcohol plays a role in Cambodia’s tourism and hospitality industry, policymakers must ensure that regulations do not negatively impact businesses and economic growth while still addressing public health concerns.
These factors have contributed to the prolonged development of the law, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to alcohol regulation in Cambodia.
Global Best Practices
Cambodia can adopt proven policy frameworks from other countries, including setting a minimum legal age and developing standard drinking guidelines.
Marjana Martinic, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MM Science and Policy Advisor on Global Alcohol, shared insights into international best practices and also emphasised the importance of adopting clear drinking guidelines and standards, setting minimum legal drinking age, and enforcing road safety regulations to curb the excessive harmful alcohol consumption in Cambodia.
“We shared best practices from other countries, acknowledging that every country has its own unique cultural and social context. However, there are still common lessons to be learned,” she said.
Policy Recommendations
While Cambodia’s regulatory framework for alcohol remains relatively weak compared to the neighbouring countries, the comprehensive “Cambodia Alcohol Policy White Paper” advocates for targeted initiatives, stronger consumer education, and a well-balanced regulatory framework. Key measures include setting a legal purchasing age, defining "standard drink" and developing guidelines, creating national drinking standards, curbing illicit alcohol sales through streamlined taxation and improved enforcement, and supporting compliant local businesses.
=FRESH NEWS
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