New push in Cambodia to establish legal drinking age

A minimum legal drinking age is being considered by the education, health and transport ministries in a bid to reduce traffic accidents. - Post Staff

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): A minimum legal drinking age is being considered by the education, health and transport ministries in a bid to reduce traffic accidents, according to public works minister Sun Chanthol.

Chanthol revealed the plan during a May 4 meeting with a delegation of companies led by the US-Asean Business Council.

Kong Vimean, spokesman for the transport ministry, told The Post on May 5 that the plan to set an age limit for alcohol consumption was in its infancy, and that nothing had been drafted so far.

“In our country, some who operate vehicles drink alcohol at all times and this results in many accidents,” he said.

Vimean added that the ministries will also look into alcohol restrictions for people with specific occupations. He stressed, however, that no clear timetable has been set for discussions on this proposal.

Ros Soveacha, spokesperson for the education ministry, said his ministry has been working with other ministries and institutions to raise awareness on the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption, and to find a way to reduce accidents caused by them.

He added that the absence of alcohol and drugs at educational institutions has contributed significantly to the promotion of health, quality of education and life among the youth.

Phnom Penh resident Sam Samnang, 29, responded positively to the idea of setting an age limit for alcohol consumption, saying that the rate of road traffic accidents caused by drunk driving has “not been declining” in Cambodia.

“It is a really good initiative. Children and youth under 18 years of age must be banned from consuming alcoholic drinks to ensure their growth and safety. The government should also restrict vehicle drivers from drinking alcohol,” he said.

Samnang suggested that the government punish alcohol merchants who sell to underage customers, and urged authorities and parents to make efforts to explain the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

In 2021, a total of 2,670 cases of road traffic accidents took place in Cambodia, killing 1,500 people and injuring 3,615.

The key causes of road accidents are speeding, drunk driving, not respecting the right of way of other vehicles, failing to adhere to the principle of driving on the right, poor vehicle maintenance and driving while drowsy.