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KMID : 0915820110120020163
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Journal of Korean Alcohol Science
2011 Volume.12 No. 2 p.163 ~ p.170
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Consumption and Expenditures for Underage and Adult Excessive Drinkings in Thailand
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Surasak Chaiyasong
Chulaporn Limwattananon
Supon Limwattananon
Viroj Thangcharoensathien
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Abstract
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Objectives: In Thailand, little is known about the alcohol consumption and expenditures in the underage and adult populations at the national level. This study aims to determine amount and expenditure of the alcohol consumption categorized as the underage and adult excessive drinking.
Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health Examination Survey 2003-04,a nationally representative sample of the Thai population aged 15 years and over (n=39,290). Excessive drinking was defined as the per week consumption of greater than 14 drinks for a male adult and 7 drinks for a female adult. Underage persons were those younger than 18 years. Based on the quantity-frequency approach, the consumption amount was computed as pure alcohol. Market prices were used for calculating the consumption expenditures.
Results: A potential reduction in the underage and adult excessive drinking was estimated using sales data. Proportion of alcohol drinkers in the Thai population was 53.3%. About 35% of the underage population were the drinkers and 15% of the adults were the excessive drinkers. The underage and adult excessive drinkings accounted for 88% of total alcohol consumption and expenditures. This study revealed that if the underage drinking was eliminated and the adult excessive drinking reduced the consumption to the recommended limits, the total consumption and expenditures in Thai population would decline by 68.8%(181.9 million liters of ethanol) and 68.3% (132.2billion Baht), respectively.
Conclusion: The findings signal a need for preventing underage persons and restricting adults from drinking. Proactive enforcement of alcohol controlling policies together with strengthening social norms to discourage the underage and excessive drinking is urged as a necessary strategy.
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KEYWORD
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Alcohol consumption, underage drinking, excessive drinking, consumption expenditure, Thailand
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