PHNOM PENH: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over alcohol sponsorship at public events in Laos, warning it may encourage underage drinking and weaken public health efforts.
The Vientiane Times today published an article by the WHO Representative to Laos, Dr Timothy Armstrong, who raised concerns about alcohol brands sponsoring festivals, social functions and sporting events.
He said the trend was particularly worrying in Laos, where nearly 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 25.
"When an alcohol company sponsors sports events and concerts in places frequented by children and adolescents, it signals that drinking is a normal part of having fun or achieving success.
"This undermines health education efforts and encourages underage drinking,” said Timothy.
Alcohol-related social issues are on the rise.
According to the Lao Statistics Bureau, nearly 7,000 road accidents were recorded in 2024, resulting in close to 1,000 deaths and more than 10, 000 injuries.
Drink-driving was identified as a major contributing factor, stated the article published by the Vientiane Times.
According to the WHO’s 2024 data, over one-third of Lao adolescents are current drinkers, with two-thirds of them engaging in heavy episodic drinking.
The Lao government has introduced strict laws to regulate the promotion of alcohol.
The Law on Alcoholic Beverage Control (2014) explicitly bans the direct and indirect promotion of alcohol, including sponsorships and branded merchandise.
In April, the government launched Road Safety Week 2026 under the theme "Drink Responsibly, Don’t Drive” to raise public awareness.
The WHO has consistently cautioned about the risks of alcohol marketing in society.
The WHO’s Global Alcohol Action Plan (2022-2030) and the SAFER initiative call for comprehensive bans on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion, restrictions on alcohol availability and higher alcohol taxes. - Bernama
