A bill has been put forward in the United Kingdom to make guidance about the risks of methanol poisoning clear in travel advice after the deaths of several people, including one American, Laos in 2024.
Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Laura Trott said the bill would require the government to provide prominent, clear and consistent guidance about methanol poisoning for countries where the risk is known to exist.
There is official information available on methanol poisoning but, presenting the bill in the House of Commons, Trott said it needs to be highlighted to young people before they travel as they currently must search to find it.
Chloe Lassetter and family have been raising awareness of the dangers of methanol poisoning abroad following the death of 28-year-old Simone White in 2024.
Simone was traveling with her friend Bethany Clarke in Laos. They were staying in a town about two hours north of the capital where Simone and Bethany consumed free shots of alcohol at a hostel.
“The next day both felt unwell, but they carried on with their plans. Hours later, after boarding a bus to their next destination, things worsened: Bethany fainted; Simone vomited. They were eventually taken to a local hospital, but doctors had no idea what was wrong and initially suspected food poisoning. Still confused and deteriorating, the girls made it to a private hospital. The results confirming methanol poisoning were not available until two weeks later, but by then Simone had sadly already passed away,” said Trott.
Multi-country fatalities
Bethany recovered following hospitalization but six other young people died because of suspected methanol poisoning, having had drinks at the same hostel. Two Australians, two Danish women, and an American.
“A year ago, like so many of us here, I did not know much about methanol poisoning, yet over 1,000 people die from it every single year worldwide. This is such a huge danger, but barely any of us know about it. That must change,” said Trott.
Methanol is tasteless and only has a faint smell, making it hard to tell if a drink has been contaminated. According to medical specialists, drinking as little as 25 ml of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol.
Trott said current official travel advice is falling short and there is a need for clearer warnings.
“In some high-risk countries, there is very little warning at all. Where advice does exist, it is vague and understated. Travelers are told that certain drinks ‘might carry a risk’ or that they ‘should exercise caution.’ This is not a matter of caution: this is about a lethal, preventable danger.”
MPs Gareth Bacon, Jim Dickson, Tom Morrison and Vicky Foxcroft also supported the bill. It is scheduled to be presented again in May 2026.
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