During the workshop, participants discussed and exchanged national experiences in pricing and taxing alcoholic products, advertisement regulations, policies on reducing and relocating the alcohol distribution outlets, regulations on the age of persons to be qualified for using alcohol, etc.

At present, alcohol consumption in the world is on the rise and has become more prevalent among youths.

Normally, people start using alcohol at the age of 24 but at 15 in some Western countries.

New Zealand participants brought up their experience in reducing the fatality rate due to alcohol (from 44 percent in 1990 to 26 percent in 2001) by conducting random and more flexible breath-tests for drivers and accelerating communication programmes on the dangers of drink driving through the mass media.

Meanwhile, Thai representatives suggested a measure that has already been taken in Vietnam, calling on people to not use alcohol during community events such as funerals, weddings or other types of festivities.