Alcohol Control Policy in Southeast Asia: A Descriptive Review
Southeast Asia plays a vital role in the global alcohol trade, with rapid economic growth and increasing intra-regional travel contributing to shifts in alcohol consumption. This descriptive review of publicly available data sources aims to assess the extent to which alcohol control policies in Southeast Asia align with the World Health Organization (WHO)'s SAFER framework. Data on alcohol consumption, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, religious demographics, and life expectancy were obtained from recent publicly available sources, including the World Bank Group and the WHO. Policy data were collected from official legal documents in each country's official language(s). Measures targeting drink-driving, alcohol availability, and alcohol advertising were most frequently implemented. All countries had some form of alcohol taxation, although levels and structures varied. Treatment services for alcohol use disorders were seldom available. The findings highlight key policy gaps and regional disparities in alcohol regulation. These insights may guide policymakers and stakeholders in developing more effective and harmonized alcohol control strategies. Limitations of the review include the lack of detailed data on policy enforcement and the exclusion of alcohol-related policies not covered by the SAFER framework.
Authors
- Bundit Sornpaisarn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8541-1172)
- Jiraluck Nontarak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6737-0829)
- Surasak Chaiyasong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5863-9382)
- Prof. Dr. Wah Yun Low (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4409-1509)
- Hoàng Thị Mỹ Hạnh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3818-6061)
- Wen Ting Tong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9081-191X)
- Vassana Thammavongsa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2539-112X)
- Chansathit Taikeophithoun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9164-982X)
- Chean Lin Chong
- Nurhaliza Zakariah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3256-3786)
- Anthony Eka Wijaya
- Jason C.H. Yap
- Siyan Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3045-5386)
- Noran Naqiah Hairi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2692-9016)
- Polathep Vichitkunakorn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2309-5308)
- Kevin D. Shield (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-8849)
- Kyaw Ko Ko Htet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7853-7308)
- Pol Rovira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5444-1560)
- Vanphanom Sychareun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4313-7336)
- Pheak Chhoun
- Qian Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2118-5468)
- Wit Wichaidi
- Sawitri Assanangkornchai
- Yik-Ying Teo
- Hafsah Alwafa Zulakmal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8313-2336)
- Ian Yi Han Ang
- Sok King Ong
- Belinda J. Murtani
- John Robert Carabeo Medina
- Nguyen The Vinh
- Kristiana Siste
- Andrea Mong Rui Chua
- Enjeline Hanafi
- Vathsana Somphet
- Jürgen Rehm
- Ahmed S. Hassan
- Gianna Gayle H. Amul
- Nyi Nyi Zayar
Institutions
- Ministry of Health (MY)
- Mahasarakham University (TH)
- Western University (CA)
- Prince of Songkla University (TH)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Universiti Brunei Darussalam (BN)
- Ateneo de Manila University (PH)
- Mahidol University (TH)
- University of Malaya (MY)
- University of Health Sciences Vientiane (LA)
- Faculty of Public Health (GB)
- Public Health Ontario (CA)
- Health Strategy and Policy Institute (VN)
- National University Health System (SG)
- Ministry of Health (VN)
- Helse Førde (NO)
- Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Nasional Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (ID)
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (PT)
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona (ES)
- University of the Philippines Manila (PH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health
- Published
- 2026-01-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395251414918
- Primary Topic
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00