The deadly methanol poisonings in Laos exposed the chilling underbelly of the illicit alcohol trade across south-east Asia and countless more Australian tourists could be at risk. Four other tourists – one from the UK, two from Denmark and one from the US – also died around the same time. Hundreds of thousands of Australian tourists visit these countries each year, putting them at risk of coming into contact with an illicit substance masquerading as alcohol. Hardy explained TRACIT is working with multiple domestic governments to enact stronger penalties for those who do engage in the illicit alcohol trade. Meanwhile, Hardy said the tourism consequence of mass methanol poisonings like what happened in Laos could be warning enough for countries to tighten their laws.