The legislation hopes to slash alcohol consumption and its associated ill effects. The law would ban alcohol advertising with very few exceptions.

However, opposition from manufacturers and a lack of public support now jeopardised its path, Mongkol said yesterday.

"It's difficult to enforce the advertising ban not just because of opposition from alcohol companies but also because people still don't recognise alcohol as addictive," he said.

The legislation is currently before the Council of State. Once it reviews the bill it goes to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). The NLA will then send it to a committee for review.

"This will take at least two months," Mongkol said.

Because the legislative process takes time he is no longer confident this government will be able to codify it before its term ends next year.

"If this bill is left pending, I believe it will be ignored and finally abandoned," he said.

Mongkol said he did not expect the Council of State to change a ruling that invalidated the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) comprehensive ban on alcohol advertising.

The FDA has sought a review.

Mongkol said those the bill aimed to protect had given it the cold shoulder.

"They are not eager to welcome the bill despite its intention to protect them and their children," he said.

Mongkol said statistics showed 30 people died in alcohol-related road accidents every day. He blamed alcohol for much of the level of crime, too.

Drinking often led to unprotected sex that could result in HIV/Aids infection and unwanted pregnancies, he said.

Duangkamon    Sajirawattanakul

The Nation