The programme focuses on modernising national systems related to food and alcohol safety to address recurring public health challenges, following serious incidents in Vang Vieng in 2024 that resulted in the deaths of six foreign tourists.

The campaign aimed to educate consumers about harmful substances that may be present in alcohol and to ensure alcohol service providers are aware of, and refrain from, practices that endanger consumers’ health.

On Friday, health officials and relevant sectors conducted awareness-raising sessions at Vang Vieng High School, where more than 200 students and teachers learned about the dangers of methanol poisoning and the importance of safe alcohol consumption.

The campaign also reached key tourist areas through visits to hotels and guesthouses, where alcohol safety messages were shared with operators and visitors.

In addition, community engagement activities during the annual local Rocket Festival included an information booth providing practical guidance and informational materials on alcohol safety.

By reaching students, local communities, and tourists, the campaign aims to increase public awareness, support national efforts to reduce methanol-related health risks, and help prevent future methanol-related incidents.

The project will also focus on modernising the National Food Safety Emergency Response Plan, supporting the National Centre for Food and Drug Analysis to enhance laboratory capacity for detecting lethal contaminants, strengthening inspections of alcoholic beverages — including the provision of rapid methanol test kits to food inspectors — and training healthcare professionals to improve the treatment of food- and alcohol-poisoning cases.