Mongolia’s drowning future

Mongolia was one of the only countries that, for many years, had strong restrictions on drinking. In old times, Mongolians used to wrap a drunk person who was misbehaving in a wet cow skin until he sobered up. Various punishment measures were taken on drunkards. In the 13th century, the Ikh Zasag Law of the Great Mongol Empire stated “If a person arrives drunk at a workplace, the first time impose a fine of a weapon he is carrying with him, second time impose the fine of a horse he is riding, third time cut off an extremity of the body. If a fourth time occurs, expel him out of the territory." 

Consumption of alcohol was strongly discouraged, and only matured elders over 36 were allowed to drink at their will. At the time Chinggis Khaan’s son, Uguudei, ruled the Empire, a strict observance of only three cups of alcohol a day were being enforced. Even in the early 1900’s, alcohol consumption wasn’t widespread in Mongolia and there was no term for ‘alcoholic’ in Mongolia. 

A report carried out by the Health Ministry of Mongolia notes that alcohol abuse could be Mongolia's biggest stumbling block to economic and social progress. The latest survey of the Health Ministry of Mongolia and World Health Organisation found that more than half of the Mongolia’s total population or 55.2% of Mongolians admit that they use alcohol excessively and 13.6% of total population is completely dependent on alcohol and annually around 140 thousand people are brought to the sobering-up cells to prevent them from freezing to death in the winter, and from doing harm to others. 

The survey indicates that around 1000 people die because of accidents related to alcohol abuse, 72 percent of serious crime, including murder and violent robbery and an extremely large percentage of household abuse are driven by alcohol. Currently, 92 vodka, 15 alcoholic spirits, 25 beer and 15 wine making entities are operating in Mongolia. Many politicians have a direct interest in the alcohol industry, and alcohol taxes and licenses generate large revenues for the government. 

Almost one in five Mongolian men binge-drink on a weekly basis. One reason for the high level of alcoholism is the sheer availability of alcohol. Mongolia has one shop selling alcohol for every 270 people, the highest number anywhere in world. Most supermarkets have an aisle dedicated to vodka, sometimes with more than 25 types of vodka alone, costing just MNT 2000 for a half-pint. 

The main factor that leads people to get drunk is definitely unemployment and poverty. In the early '90s the manufacturing plants closed down, and their workers became very poor. With the market economy, the unemployment rate became critical and the drinking really started. In the years of 1985 to 1990 when campaigns against alcohol abuse were implemented intensively in Mongolia, the survey showed that 87.7% of the total population didn’t use alcohol at all, 10.6% used to drink only in special occasions, 1.2% used alcohol permanently and 0.7% were dependent on alcohol. 

The number of alcohol beverage and vodka consumed increases year by the year in Mongolia, affecting young generations, making the problem something of a national disaster. It threatens the future of Mongolia’s younger generation. In early May, television news programs and the newspapers reported about children of ages 7 to 14 getting drunk and being caught by the policemen. A 10 year old boy died being run over by a drunk driver. Every night we watch news about the crimes related to the alcohol consumption of young people. It has been several years since the people of Mongolia started to celebrate every Friday night naming it “Brother Friday’s birthday”. Especially young people, students and middle aged workers drink massively celebrating the end of the week. The youth drink too much alcohol and spends their precious time in bars and night clubs. One can see drunken boys and girls in and around such facilities in late hours, half-naked and fighting, almost every night. That is a common picture nowadays.

There are certain laws and regulation that deal with matters regarding the usage and sale of alcohol, nice and clearly written, but nobody follows it and nobody cares to enforce it. In accordance with the laws and regulation related with alcohol use and sale, stores and supermarkets are not allowed to sell alcohol beverage after 12pm; are not allowed to sell it to minors and bars and restaurants should be closed at 12pm. 

But every single store sells alcoholic drinks to minors and after hours. Our President Ts.Elbegdorj urged all adults to "switch" from Vodka to milk, but people just made fun of him. 

It is really regretful to imagine Mongolia’s future that is silently drowning in an Alcohol Ocean. But many countries have had good experiences that could rescue this nation from the epidemic disease of alcoholism. 

We can follow their example and force these effective measures against alcoholism in Mongolia. 

Firstly, to decrease alcohol content in the alcoholic beverages year by year. The majority of alcohol beverages that are produced in Mongolia has an alcohol content of above 38% vol. If the alcohol volume is decreased by 1% year by year, Mongolians will drink alcoholic beverage of 20% by 2030. Obviously this would be better than the current situation. 

Secondly, to reduce the packaging and the bottle size of alcoholic beverages and increase the price of vodka and other alcoholic beverages. Mongolia’s alcohol beverage manufacturers produce vodka in 1 litre bottles, 0.75 litre bottles and 0.5 litre bottles. The packaging of alcohol beverage should be hallmarked at 0.3 litres and the largest at 0.5 litres. And if the vodka and alcohol prices are increased, the excessive consumption of alcohol may be reduced. 

Thirdly, to carry out effective lessons and campaigns about the damage of excessive alcohol consumption and its bad consequences to teenagers and students of general education schools, by introducing special programs in the curriculum. 

If above mentioned basic ideas can come into reality and are tied up to in the operation of the state and of non-governmental organizations in line with the laws and regulations, Mongolia can deal with the problem of its epidemic of alcoholism. 

Once the Dalai Lama visited Mongolia, he advised Mongolian people to drink less alcohol but more airag, a traditional beverage made of fermented mare milk. But the Dalai Lama’s advice didn’t help; nobody listened to him. So everybody talks and discusses this alcohol-issue but no solution is visible as of today. Wake up Mongolia! It is time to rescue our generation from drowning in alcohol and it’s time to remove alcohol abuse and learn to moderate drinking.