Public health is at risk due to government policy.
PUBLISHED: 05 :26 on January 8, 2024.
In an effort to promote hospitality, Stop-Drink Network Thailand has criticized the commission’s decision to drastically lower taxes on wine and other alcoholic beverages, claiming that the government is attempting to create a new issue.
The group was reacting to the cabinet’s decision on Tuesday, which waives the 10 % import tax on wine used for non-commercial purposes and reduces its tariff on commercially imported wine from 100 % to 5 %.
The 10 % sales tax on traditional alcoholic beverages with a alcohol content of no more than 7 % was also eliminated by the government, and the 5 % excise tax was reduced to entertainment venues. The cuts, according to the government, were meant as a New Year’s gift for the populace and for hospitality development.
The fresh tax breaks, according to Theera Watcharapranee, chairman of Stop- Sip Network Thailand, came as a surprise to those working to reduce alcohol consumption and its effects.
According to Mr. Theera, this U-turn in the government’s alcohol tax legislation will truly benefit companies making profits from importing and selling cheap bottles of wine rather than benefiting commerce and local alcoholic drink makers as claimed.
He claimed that liquor, which was once greatly taxed and regarded as a luxury good, is now widely available to everyone. He claimed that “alcoholic drinks are addictive.” ” They may lead to issues and harm the public health of the nation.”
The World Health Organization has recommended raising alcohol taxes as a practical way to lower consumption rates, Mr. Theera continued, based on the evidence that every US$ 1 ( 34.67 baht ) spent on alcohol consumption control yields up to$ 8 in economic values in return.
According to Mr. Theera, this proposal made sense because a decrease in the number of people with alcohol-related health problems may lessen the burden on the nation’s medical system while the government would increase revenues from higher tax rates.
However, he claimed that the government is currently attempting to increase tourism profits while ignoring the negative effects of alcohol on public health.
No information on the medical costs associated with caring for such people or lost efficiency brought on by an increase in traffic accidents was immediately available.
Teera: A short-sighted shift