Cheap liquor creates social and family problems as drinkers prefer to buy alcohol rather than provide for their families.
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the government to ban the sale of cheap liquor, commonly known as samsu, as it is a social menace causing fatal health consequences and a propensity for crime while destroying families.
CAP president SM Mohamed Idris said cheap liquor created social and family problems as drinkers often used their income to purchase alcohol rather than provide for their family.
“Drinkers become a nuisance causing family disputes, which leads to other problems like child abuse, marital breakups, domestic violence and suicides.
“At a time when the price of food and other household products keep escalating, this drinking habit exacerbates the situation by trapping drinkers into debt leading to other social ills,” SM Mohamed said.
“Those consuming cheap liquor tend to get involved in criminal activities like snatch theft, robbery, stealing, violence and gangsterism,” said Idris at a press conference in his office here today.
A CAP study revealed that despite numerous campaigns against cheap liquor over the years, various brands were still readily available across the country.
The study found that many liquor retail outlets had sprouted in the country with the full endorsement of the authorities.
Cheap liquor contains 20% to 42% alcohol and is sold in small bottles of 150ml at a minimum of RM2 per bottle. It is easily available in sundry and grocery retail outlets.
Once popular mainly among ethnic Indians, the CAP study found that cheap liquor had become a favourite among other ethnic groups as well, including foreign workers from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Other findings showed that some retail outlets operate from as early as 6am and stay open for longer to woo more customers.
Idris laments, “Women and children bear the brunt of the alcohol scourge.
“Hence, a ban on the sale of cheap liquor will reduce social ills and alleviate the sufferings of women and children.”
CAP president SM Mohamed Idris said cheap liquor created social and family problems as drinkers often used their income to purchase alcohol rather than provide for their family.
“Drinkers become a nuisance causing family disputes, which leads to other problems like child abuse, marital breakups, domestic violence and suicides.
“At a time when the price of food and other household products keep escalating, this drinking habit exacerbates the situation by trapping drinkers into debt leading to other social ills,” SM Mohamed said.
“Those consuming cheap liquor tend to get involved in criminal activities like snatch theft, robbery, stealing, violence and gangsterism,” said Idris at a press conference in his office here today.
A CAP study revealed that despite numerous campaigns against cheap liquor over the years, various brands were still readily available across the country.
The study found that many liquor retail outlets had sprouted in the country with the full endorsement of the authorities.
Cheap liquor contains 20% to 42% alcohol and is sold in small bottles of 150ml at a minimum of RM2 per bottle. It is easily available in sundry and grocery retail outlets.
Once popular mainly among ethnic Indians, the CAP study found that cheap liquor had become a favourite among other ethnic groups as well, including foreign workers from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Other findings showed that some retail outlets operate from as early as 6am and stay open for longer to woo more customers.
Idris laments, “Women and children bear the brunt of the alcohol scourge.
“Hence, a ban on the sale of cheap liquor will reduce social ills and alleviate the sufferings of women and children.”
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