The Women, Children, and Youth Committee of the National Assembly once again raised the need to formulate a National Alcohol Policy. The committee recommended it while deliberating on the action taken report on a resolution regarding crime prevention and reduction, and making Bhutan a safe society. The committee had previously recommended the same during last year’s summer session, but no final decision has been reached so far.
The chairperson of the Women, Children, and Youth Committee, Dorji Wangmo said alcohol has become easily accessible and affordable with no or minimal monitoring by relevant authorities.
She said, “Although there is a law that restricts the sale of alcohol to individuals below the age of 18 years, when a child goes to a shop to buy alcohol, no one asks their age. Offering them options to buy beer or wine, it is being easily sold to them. No one is there to monitor.”
The committee recommended forming an inter-agency committee to formulate the national alcohol policy.
“Different stakeholders work on the alcohol-related issues. If it is health-related, the health ministry works on it. If it is related to shops selling alcohol, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment works on it. It would be efficient to have a national alcohol policy that brings stakeholders together and works for long-term benefit. I would urge you to have a discussion on this matter and work towards it,” she added.
Formulation of the National Alcohol Policy was one of the nine recommendations submitted by the Women, Children and Youth Committee last session.
In the meantime, the committee recommended interim measures, such as strictly monitoring the imposition of penalties on the sale of alcohol to individuals under 18 years until the policy is ready for implementation.
Sonam Yuden & Tashi Dekar
Edited by Phub Gyem
