Alcohol Control Policy in Southeast Asia: A Descriptive Review
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10105395
eISSN
19412479
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105028103106
Journal Title
Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health (2026)
Suggested Citation
Assanangkornchai S., Wichaidit W., Amul G.G.H., Ang I.Y.H., Chaiyasong S., Chhoun P., Chong C.L., Chua A.M.R., Hairi N.N., Hanafi E., Hassan A.S., Htet K.K.K., Low W.Y., Medina J.R.C., Murtani B.J., My Hanh H.T., Vinh N.T., Nontarak J., Ong S.K., Rovira P., Shield K., Siste K., Somphet V., Sornpaisarn B., Sychareun V., Taikeophithoun C., Teo Y.Y., Thammavongsa V., Tong W.T., Vichitkunakorn P., Wijaya A.S., Qian Y., Yap J.C.H., Yi S., Zakariah N., Zayar N.N., Zulakmal H.A., Rehm J. Alcohol Control Policy in Southeast Asia: A Descriptive Review. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health (2026). doi:10.1177/10105395251414918 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114463
Title
Alcohol Control Policy in Southeast Asia: A Descriptive Review
Author(s)
Assanangkornchai S.
Wichaidit W.
Amul G.G.H.
Ang I.Y.H.
Chaiyasong S.
Chhoun P.
Chong C.L.
Chua A.M.R.
Hairi N.N.
Hanafi E.
Hassan A.S.
Htet K.K.K.
Low W.Y.
Medina J.R.C.
Murtani B.J.
My Hanh H.T.
Vinh N.T.
Nontarak J.
Ong S.K.
Rovira P.
Shield K.
Siste K.
Somphet V.
Sornpaisarn B.
Sychareun V.
Taikeophithoun C.
Teo Y.Y.
Thammavongsa V.
Tong W.T.
Vichitkunakorn P.
Wijaya A.S.
Qian Y.
Yap J.C.H.
Yi S.
Zakariah N.
Zayar N.N.
Zulakmal H.A.
Rehm J.
Wichaidit W.
Amul G.G.H.
Ang I.Y.H.
Chaiyasong S.
Chhoun P.
Chong C.L.
Chua A.M.R.
Hairi N.N.
Hanafi E.
Hassan A.S.
Htet K.K.K.
Low W.Y.
Medina J.R.C.
Murtani B.J.
My Hanh H.T.
Vinh N.T.
Nontarak J.
Ong S.K.
Rovira P.
Shield K.
Siste K.
Somphet V.
Sornpaisarn B.
Sychareun V.
Taikeophithoun C.
Teo Y.Y.
Thammavongsa V.
Tong W.T.
Vichitkunakorn P.
Wijaya A.S.
Qian Y.
Yap J.C.H.
Yi S.
Zakariah N.
Zayar N.N.
Zulakmal H.A.
Rehm J.
Author's Affiliation
University of Toronto
National University of Singapore
Universidade do Porto
Universiti Malaya
Mahidol University
Prince of Songkla University
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Mahasarakham University
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Ateneo de Manila University
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Agencia de Salut Publica de Barcelona
National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
KHANA
Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR)
University of Health Sciences
FORUT
Vietnam Ministry of Health
PAHO
National University of Singapore
Universidade do Porto
Universiti Malaya
Mahidol University
Prince of Songkla University
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Mahasarakham University
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Ateneo de Manila University
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Agencia de Salut Publica de Barcelona
National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
KHANA
Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR)
University of Health Sciences
FORUT
Vietnam Ministry of Health
PAHO
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
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.