Advocacy for a strong alcohol control law in Vietnam - Experience of a NGO Pham Thi Hoang Anh HealthBridge Canada, Vietnam Office EPP12-10 Track: 1 - Stemming the tide: innovations in prevention and screening 1 EPP12-10 Abstract presented before: No

BACKGROUND Alarmingly increase of alcohol consumption and its negative consequences: Per capita consumption in adults (15+) increased 3,8l in 2005 to 6,6l in 2010. (WHO.2014) 80.3% male aged 25-64 drinks alcohol in 2015 (significant increased from 69.6% in 2010) (MOH, STEPS 2015) Alcohol related domestic violence in Vietnam: 33.7% (GSO.2010) Alcohol related road accidence: 66.8% car driver victims and 36% of motorbike driver victims (WHO.2013) Alcohol was the four of eight risk factors of disease burden in Vietnam (MOH.2008) The consumption of alcohol has been rapidly raising up recently both in prevalence of consumption and in quantity consumed per capita. Per capita consumption has been doubled within five year period 2005-2010. The rise in comsumption is causing serious health and social problemss: One third of domestic violence in 2010 is alcohol related; alcohol ranks four among death risk factors of Vietnmaese. Alchol related deaths has been doubled between 2004-2012 While the situation is serious the existing control policies are not comprehensive, weak and poorly enforced. Alcohol products especially local beers and homee made spirits are poorly controled, very cheap and widely available. In 2014, Na requested the mOH to develop AC law but the AI is very strong and interfere to the process to delay and weaken the content Source: WHO, VN Office Existing policies are not comprehensive, weak and lack of enforcement measures Alcohol is very cheap and available everywhere NA requested the MOH to develop AC law but the process is challenged by the industry interference.

APPROACHES Build relationship with drafting (DOL-MOH) and reviewing (CSA-NA) agencies Regular communication to update the progress Multiple workshop with CSA-NA and AC Law Drafting Committee HB has a rich experience in advocacy for tobacco control law and we applying this experience in advocacy for alcohol control. Our Strategies are: Developing strategic relationship with strategic agencies involved in law development and aproval: department of legislation, MOH and the committee f social affaires – NA as well as with media. Reviewing and generating evidences and best practice policies to share with target audiences Closely monitoring the law development process and send comments to improve the contents Strategic; multi channel communication: direct communication via workshops; using multi channel of mass media for advocacy Extending the advocacy network: invovled CSOs to AC by capacity building and connecting them with international partners and government agencies Study tour for member of NA Reviewing/generating evidences and best practice Review of best practice AC policies Research on alcohol and poverty and the impact of tax increase Review the link of advertisement/promotion and consumption Commenting on the draft of law Strategic multi-channel communication: Direct communication through workshops Using media (TV reportage, talks show, articles) Developing and disseminating Q&A, factsheets Developing and extending advocacy network Involving CSOs to alcohol control by capacity building, connecting CSOs with GOV agencies and international partners on AC

Thanks for your attention! PRELIMINARY RESULTS The content of draft of law has been improved Evidences provided were used by the drafting committee in law proposal supporting documents Vietnam NCD Alliance has been founded and became active in AC Launch Vietnam NCDs Alliance (27/08/2015) Media is more interested with the issue The process is ongoing but some impacts have been seen: The content of draft of law has been improved Evidences provided were used by the drafting committee in law proposal supporting documents Vietnam NCD Alliance has been founded and became active in AC Media is more interested with the issue Policy recommendation letters from NCDs Alliance to NA on Excise tax policy Media coverage on Alcohol control in 2015 (on average of 3 articles on AC daily) Result based on media surveillance which collected 2176 printed and online article on Alcohol in 2015 Thanks for your attention!