Thailand: Alcohol and cigarette consumption faces spike following ease in COVID-19 measures

People of Thailand spent around 78.524 billion baht on alcoholic drinks and cigarettes in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is higher as compared to the last year, as information released by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) said on Monday.

The deputy general of NESDC Jinanggoon Rojananan said that there was 0.1% point increase as compared to that of 2020.

The overall spending on alcoholic drinks in the fourth quarter of 2021 amounted to 49.51 billion baht, which is up by 1.2% quarter on quarter.

Whereas the spending on cigarette in the fourth quarter of 2021 amounted overall 29.032 billion baht, decreasing by over 2% in comparison from the previous quarter.

The recent surge in consumption of alcoholic drinks was due to relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions, which permitted restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks from December 1 including the New Year Festival.

Meanwhile, the consumption of these products in 2021 was down 1.8% over the last year because entertainment places were closed and sales hours were restricted as part of COVID-19 control measures.

Jinanggoon said that some of citizens also wanted to be healthy, while the income of some people were low so they had to exercise patience. But NESDC want to check upon the two behaviours closely.

Drinking alcohol could reduce self-control, which raises the risk of catching COVID-19 infection by two to three times. It also increases the risk of getting severe symptoms or death for those infected with COVID-19.

The NESDC further alerted that those who drink continuously might suffer from non-communicable diseases.

The NESDC also wanted to take a closer look at electronic cigarettes. It could also give smokers dual addictions, with even worse impacts on their health. It could pose more threat to the health of people who smokes e-cigarettes before they turn 14 years. NESDC further added that new measures are required to reduce new smokers and health risks.