National Alcohol Policy in Malaysia

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National Alcohol Policy in Malaysia

• Saroja Krishnaswamy
• Professor and Head of Department
• Penang Medical CollegePenang

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Malaysia

• Gender ratio
• 51 males
• 49 females
• Ethnic composition
• 65.1 Bumiputra
• 26.0 Chinese
• 7.7 Indians
• Others 1.2

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History

• Wine brought in the 17th and 18th century by
  Portugese and Dutch merchants and local populace
  imbibed.
• 19th and 20th century British brought in Chinese
  and Indians for tin mines and estates
• Alcohol in plantations todddy, moonshine
• Opium, spirits and later samsu in tin mines .
• 1930s beer with first brewery in Singapore and
  later Malaya.Other spirits Scotch whisky,cognac

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National Policy

• No national alcohol policy but there is one on
  heroin

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Influence of Islam

• Influence of Islam especially in Kelantan

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Alcohol Revenues
Resources

• Some campaigns especially non governmental org
• Services in hospitals

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Need for National Alcohol Policy

• Increase in consumption and alcohol related
  problems
• Increase drinking in women urban, estates and
  youths
• Powerful transnational corporations in
  manufacturing and marketing
• Diferential impact on men and women
• Proliferation of unliscensed ,illegal adulterated
  alcohol
• Retail outlets

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What should be done?

• epidemiological studies on impact of alcohol use
• legislation age limits, drink driving
• enforce laws
• liscensing, illegal drink
• education in schools
• treatment facilities
• alcohol prices
• advertising

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Conclusion

• muslim abstemious population
• profits
• social toll from samsu
• corporate responsibility
• comprehensive approach