Community Alcohol Notification System (CANS): For Safer and Healthier Communities

The Asia Foundation’s research in 2015 on contributing factors for IPV found alcohol abuse to be a significant risk factor in triggering IPV, both in frequency and severity. Despite the wide-ranging presence of international and local alcohol brands and products, Cambodia still has no enforceable minimum drinking age, no limitation on serving alcohol (not even to people who are already intoxicated), and no restrictions on alcohol advertising. As a first step to fill this policy vacuum, since March 2015 The Asia Foundation and local partners have been implementing the Commune Alcohol Notification System (CANS)—implemented voluntarily by the government authorities at the commune level with support from non-government organizations.