Petition warns of alcohol crisis harming youth and families
DAWA ZANGMO
Thimphu
A petition submitted to the National Assembly has urged the government to undertake comprehensive reforms of Bhutan’s bar licensing system, raising urgent concerns over what it describes as a growing social, economic, and public health crisis related to alcohol access and regulation.
The petition, presented by the MP Dr. Tek Bdr Rai representing Shompangkha Constituency, outlines a series of systemic issues within the current regulatory framework, particularly the unchecked rise in the number of bar licenses, the uneven enforcement of alcohol-related laws, and the resulting consequences for communities across the country.
The document has drawn attention for articulating widespread concerns from constituents, signaling that alcohol regulation has become a pressing national issue requiring immediate legislative attention.
The MP also submitted that filed a petition demanding stringent oversight of the nation’s bar operations and licensing system. He voiced his worries about the growth of bars and their detrimental societal effects, especially on our children. The Health Minister responded by acknowledging the problem and telling the House that the Ministry is working to address it through enhanced health services, awareness campaigns, and the application of the National Policy and Strategic Framework to reduce harmful alcohol use, which was first introduced during the 2013–2018 government term. The Ministry is now developing new measures under the Healthy Drukyul program of the 13th Five-Year Plan, with an emphasis on lowering alcohol-related damage and enhancing support services, as the policy has had some good impact.
According to data cited in the petition, Bhutan currently has 9,717 registered bars operating across the country. In addition, there are 75 bar license applications pending approval. This figure, the petition notes, represents an exponential growth in the density of alcohol outlets relative to the country’s population, which stands at just over 700,000.
The unchecked proliferation of licensed bars is reported to have had a direct impact on public health. Medical records referenced in the document show a concerning rise in alcohol-related liver diseases over a three-year period. In 2021, the Ministry of Health recorded 2,393 cases of liver ailments linked to alcohol consumption. By 2023, that number had increased to 2,625, marking a nearly 10 percent rise. The petition argues that this trend reflects a broader public health emergency fueled by growing alcohol dependency among Bhutanese citizens.
In particular, the impact on youth and vulnerable households is highlighted as a major concern. Easy access to alcohol, the petition contends, has contributed to family breakdowns, loss of productivity, and mental health challenges. Despite these alarming developments, the petition claims that enforcement of regulations remains weak, with limited capacity for monitoring alcohol sales or penalizing non-compliant vendors.
Beyond public health, the petition also underscores economic disparities that have emerged under the current licensing system. It alleges that many individuals—particularly those from rural areas or economically disadvantaged backgrounds—are unable to acquire bar licenses through formal means due to a lack of transparency or affordability. This, in turn, has created a parallel market in which licenses are traded informally, sometimes at exorbitant prices.
While bar licenses were originally intended to be distributed at a nominal government fee, the petition claims that some have been resold in urban areas for large sums of money, effectively turning the license into a commercial asset rather than a regulatory instrument. This has led to increasing commercialization of licenses, undermining the intent of government regulation and fostering inequality in access to legitimate business opportunities.
The scale of regulatory violations is also substantial. In 2024 alone, a total of 2,948 cases of bar license misuse and illegal transfers were recorded. Among these, 225 licenses were flagged for irregularities by oversight bodies. As of the petition’s submission, 1,527 of these cases remain under active investigation. These figures reflect what the petition characterizes as systemic weaknesses in the licensing and monitoring process that require urgent institutional reform.
A key issue raised in the petition is the impact of alcohol accessibility on children and adolescents. It argues that minors are increasingly exposed to alcohol, not only through bars and restaurants but also via unregulated home-brew sales and shops operating without strict oversight.
The document attributes this exposure to inadequate enforcement of age restrictions and a lack of proper surveillance of retail outlets. According to the petition, underage drinking is becoming more prevalent, particularly in communities where alcohol outlets are concentrated or poorly supervised. This trend is seen as having long-term consequences for education, youth development, and community stability.
Compounding the issue is the challenge of tracking and regulating alcohol sales made through online platforms or informal vendors. The petition notes that digital alcohol sales and home deliveries have outpaced regulatory mechanisms, making it difficult for authorities to monitor consumption or enforce compliance. It points to limitations in Government-to-Citizen (G2C) digital service delivery systems, which have reportedly led to administrative bottlenecks in tracking illegal or unsafe alcohol distribution.
Another significant point of concern in the petition is the licensing freeze introduced by the government in 2019, which suspended the approval of new bar licenses nationwide. While the freeze was implemented as a measure to curb the growing number of alcohol outlets, the petition argues that it has had unintended consequences for small entrepreneurs.
According to the MP’s submission, the freeze has made it nearly impossible for aspiring business owners—particularly those operating home-based or small-scale alcohol production ventures—to transition into the formal economy. In Shompangkha constituency alone, more than 50 applications were submitted in recent years by individuals seeking to legalize and license their operations. However, none of these applications were approved under the existing policy.
The petition warns that the continued freeze is encouraging the growth of informal, unregulated alcohol businesses. Without access to licensing pathways, many individuals continue to operate in legal limbo, lacking the protections and oversight afforded by formal regulation. This not only undermines government efforts to control alcohol distribution but also limits economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
In light of the multiple challenges identified, the petition outlines a set of five key policy recommendations aimed at reforming Bhutan’s bar licensing framework. These include; the petition calls for the development of transparent and equitable criteria for issuing bar licenses. This would involve eliminating informal networks and ensuring that economically disadvantaged individuals have fair access to licensing opportunities.
The petition advocates for enhanced enforcement mechanisms, including better coordination between law enforcement agencies and local administrations. It suggests shutting down non-compliant outlets and investing in stronger monitoring systems at the grassroots level.
The introduction of targeted public awareness campaigns on the health risks of alcohol consumption is proposed, along with improved access to addiction counseling and rehabilitation services. To prevent oversaturation of alcohol outlets in urban areas, the petition recommends the introduction of regional licensing quotas based on population density and community needs. This would ensure more balanced distribution of licenses across the country.
The petition further proposes the creation of “alcohol-safe” zones, where licensing is restricted or managed by local governments. These zones could be established in areas with high levels of alcohol-related crime, school zones, or near health facilities.
The petition has been described as a reflection of rising public dissatisfaction with the current alcohol policy framework. While it acknowledges the economic importance of alcohol production and sales for many households, it emphasizes that regulation must prioritize community well-being, fairness, and public safety.
Rather than banning alcohol or undermining its role in local economies, the petition advocates for a balanced approach that integrates public health goals with economic inclusion. It calls on Parliament to lift the licensing freeze and to initiate comprehensive legislative reforms to address the shortcomings of the existing system.
As Parliament prepares to reconvene, the petition is expected to trigger extensive debate among lawmakers, stakeholders, and civil society groups. While the outcome remains uncertain, the growing visibility of the issue suggests that regulatory reform of alcohol licensing could emerge as a legislative priority in the months ahead. The Women, Children, and Youth Committee was instructed by the House to thoroughly examine the petition and present its findings at the Winter Session.
