--- title: "Methanol Poisoning: The Importance of Alcohol Safety and RSA Training" description: Six tourists die from methanol poisoning in Laos. Learn why RSA training and strict alcohol safety laws are critical to preventing tragedies. image: https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/AFS%20Methanol%20Poisoning.jpg --- # Laos Methanol Deaths Highlight Need for Alcohol Safety Laws and RSA Training Learn why RSA training and strict alcohol safety laws are critical to preventing tragedies like these from occurring in Australia. [![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS%20Sidebar.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA) [![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS%20Sidebar.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA) [![Food Safety Supervisor Course](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/home/AFS-mobile.webp) ](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/food-safety-supervisor?utm_campaign=28973228-AFS%20Blog%20Sidebar%20CTA&utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=sidebarCTA) ![Six Laos tourists die from methanol-tainted alcohol](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AFS%20Methanol%20Poisoning.jpg?width=820&height=462&name=AFS%20Methanol%20Poisoning.jpg) December 2, 2024 In a tragic incident that demonstrates the critical importance of [responsible alcohol service](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/rsa-training-in-gig-economy), six tourists have lost their lives due to suspected **methanol poisoning** from contaminated alcohol in **Vang Vieng, Laos**. This heartbreaking event highlights the stark differences in **alcohol regulation** and **training standards** across countries, with devastating consequences when safety protocols are absent or overlooked. In **Australia**, strict legislation and mandatory [Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/state-by-state-rsa-training-requirements-across-australia) ensure that alcohol servers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to keep patrons safe. The incident in Laos serves as a reminder of why these standards matter and why [RSA training](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/the-impact-of-rsa-training-on-alcohol-related-incidents) is non-negotiable for **alcohol servers** and **business owners** alike. ## Methanol poisoning in Laos Six tourists, including two Australian women, have died after consuming alcohol believed to be **contaminated with methanol**, a toxic substance sometimes found in **improperly distilled spirits**.  It is understood that 19-year-old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles became ill after drinking shots at the **Nana Backpacker Hostel** before heading out for the night on the 12th of November 2024. Both women died days later after being admitted to hospital in neighbouring Thailand. Two Danish women and a 57-year-old American man, who were also staying at the hostel tragically passed away around the same time. Another guest, a 28-year-old woman from the United Kingdom, died just over a week later, on the 21st of November. According to local media, police in Laos have **detained eight people** in connection with the deaths, including Nana Backpacker Hostel employees and management. The owners of the hostel, which is now closed, have previously denied serving illicit alcohol. The exact number of people who may have fallen ill remains unknown and an investigation into the deaths is continuing. ## The dangers of methanol poisoning  Methanol is a toxic, flavourless and colourless substance often found in **bootleg alcohol**. If consumed, it can cause severe health issues, including **blindness** and **death**, even in small amounts.  Consuming just **25ml of methanol can be lethal**. Symptoms may take **up to 24 hours** to appear and include **nausea**, **vomiting** and **abdominal pain**. These can rapidly escalate to more severe issues, such as **hyperventilation** and **breathing difficulties**. > *Every year, thousands of people are poisoned by methanol, and in spite of effective treatment, a typical outbreak will kill ****20-40%**** of the victims.* - [Doctors Without Borders / Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF)](https://methanolpoisoning.msf.org/wp-content/themes/msf/pdf/methanol_poisoning_fact_sheet_Q%26A.pdf) ## A global perspective on alcohol safety **Bootleg alcohol** often bypasses regulatory oversight, leading to **unsafe production practices**. Unlike Australia, where legislation enforces strict alcohol safety standards, consumers in countries with little or no regulation face a higher risk of **illness or death**. The **tragic events in Laos** shed light on the uneven global standards for alcohol safety. In many countries, alcohol service does not require formal [RSA training](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/rsa-training-for-managers), and regulations are kept to a minimum. This relaxed approach to alcohol service allows **unsafe practices**, such as the distribution of **bootleg alcohol** to become widespread. By contrast, **Australia's alcohol safety regulations** set a global benchmark for protecting public health. Business owners and alcohol servers who complete an [RSA course](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/the-rsa-course-learn-how-to-balance-customer-experience-and-responsible-service) not only ensure compliance with legal requirements but also develop the confidence to handle complex service scenarios responsibly. ## Protecting lives through RSA training **Methanol poisoning** incidents are rare in countries with strict **alcohol safety regulations**. In Australia, the requirement for comprehensive [RSA training](https://blog.foodsafety.com.au/how-do-i-get-rsa-certification) plays a crucial role in ensuring safe alcohol service. By fostering a culture of responsibility among alcohol servers and businesses, this training helps mitigate such risks effectively. The [Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS)](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/) offers an industry-leading RSA course, equipping participants with the skills needed to uphold these standards. This engaging training program ensures alcohol servers are well-prepared to make informed decisions that prioritise customer safety. **Be confident in your alcohol service standards. **[**Enrol**](https://www.foodsafety.com.au/courses/responsible-service-alcohol)** in the RSA course today to meet compliance requirements and ensure safe, responsible alcohol service.** ![For Students](https://news.foodsafety.com.au/hubfs/afs/menu/accounts1.jpg) ## For Students Taking an AIFS course? 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