Thailand to Host Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2011

 Thailand will host the Global Alcohol Policy Conference from 28 to 30 November this year, which marks an important milestone for global alcohol control efforts. The three-day conference will take place at the Grand Diamond Ballroom, Impact Convention Center, Nonthaburi province.

The conference is the first global meeting that addresses the issue of alcohol policies. It will bring together leaders from all over the world who are committed to working toward the implementation of effective alcohol policies. It is orgganised jointly by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance, and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation,

The conference theme is “From the Global Alcohol Strategies to Local Actions.” This conference is an open forum, comprising both invited and registered participants. It will provide an opportunity for policy makers, advocates, academics, and campaigners to share and exchange their knowledge and experience. The conference will also serve as a platform for developing a truly global network and for discussing possible efforts at the global level to reduce problems from alcohol.

It will consist of plenary keynotes, technical sessions, side meetings, workshops, and exhibitions. About 1,500 people are expected to take part in this conference, which will issue a declaration calling for global social commitment. The declaration will express goodwill and strong commitments of the participants to support the implementation of the WHO global strategy on alcohol policy.

Harmful use of alcohol and its related problems have become major global public health problems. Alcohol consumption has been identified as an important risk factor for chronic diseases and injury. Alcohol is also associated with a wide range of social problems, and its detrimental effects lead to an estimated of 3.8 percent of all global deaths and 4.6 percent of the global burden of diseases. Reducing the harmful use of alcohol will improve public health and the people’s well-being.

Aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse, the Thailand Ministry of Public Health has urged people to refrain from drinking alcohol during the Buddhist Lent, as a way of promoting good health. The three-month Buddhist Lent this year began on July 16, known as Buddhist Lent Day, or Khao Phansa. The Thai government has designated Buddhist Lent Day each year Thailand’s “No Alcohol Day.” The year 2011, in particular, highlights the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the organization at the forefront of the fight against the harmful use of alcohol in Thailand. Heavy drinking was cited as the main cause of more than 100,000 divorces in Thailand annually. It is also the main cause of 45 percent of assaults and 35 percent of sex crime cases.

For more information about the Global Alcohol Policy Conference, please contact the Secretariat Office (Center for Alcohol Studies), Soi Satharanasook 6, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Road, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand, tel.: 66 (0) 2590-2376, fax: 66 (0) 2590-2380, or visit the website http://www.GAPC2011.com.