Harmful alcohol use is a considerable public health issue in Mongolia. While some policies have been introduced to reduce harmful alcohol consumption – including taxation, labelling, drink-driving regulation and education in universities – there remains scope to improve.

The amount of alcohol consumed in Mongolia is higher than the safe consumption standards set by the World Health Organization: 55 litres per person aged above 21 in Mongolia every year.

The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 years old. Nevertheless, nearly half of all 16 year olds have drunk alcohol at least once.

Therefore, Mongolian President U.Khurelsukh on Tuesday issued a decree on reducing alcohol consumption.

The decree prohibits the use of high-strength ethyl alcohol at receptions, official celebrations and ceremonies arranged by government organizations. Also, the government is to implement a volume-based liquor taxes. Furthermore, alcohol volume in liquors will be reduced by 10 percent in every single year.