The UK government has launched a new campaign to warn travellers about the dangers of methanol poisoning after British tourist Simone White died from consuming methanol-laced shots in Laos in 2024. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) launched the 'Know the Signs' campaign on July 15, 2026, to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.
Bethany Clarke, whose best friend Simone White died in the incident, praised the government initiative. Clarke and White were holidaying in Vang Vieng, Laos, in November 2024 when they unknowingly consumed methanol-laced shots. Both became seriously ill the next day, mistaking their symptoms for severe hangovers. While Clarke recovered, White, 28, died days later from irreversible brain damage.
Campaign Launch and Personal Stories
Clarke has since launched the 'MethaKnow' campaign, which has applied for charitable status and aims to advocate for preventive measures. She noted that the FCDO's summer campaign included other affected individuals: Calum, who lost his eyesight, and Margaret McKie, who lost her daughter Kirsty. Both appeared on BBC Breakfast to share their stories. Clarke said: 'We wanted to make sure people could find us on socials in case anyone else has been affected and wants to reach out.'
White was one of six people who died after consuming free drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Two Australian teenagers, an American, and two Danish tourists were the other fatalities. An inquest earlier this year heard from Australian Federal Police that there was no evidence hostel workers were involved in contaminating the drinks. An investigation into the distillery owner and factory workers is ongoing.
Government Warnings and Travel Advice
Minister for Consular Hamish Falconer MP said: 'No one expects a holiday to end in tragedy, yet methanol poisoning can have devastating – and sometimes fatal – consequences. The courage of survivors and bereaved families in sharing their experiences will help raise awareness and could save lives.' He urged travellers to check travel advice, use reputable venues, purchase sealed drinks, and avoid homemade alcohol or free shots. A total of 29 destinations now have methanol poisoning warnings on UK government travel advice, including Laos and Vietnam.
Methanol Poisoning Symptoms and Risks
Methanol is a clear, colourless, flammable liquid not meant for human consumption. Symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear and mimic alcohol poisoning. As little as 30ml (roughly a shot) can be fatal for an adult; 4-10ml can cause blindness. Early signs include vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance, and drowsiness. Later symptoms include abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision, coma, and convulsions. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
Clarke hopes insurers and travel companies will do more. She said: 'Insurers are going to want to avoid their customers having this problem, so if we can work with them and influence people on social media to avoid high-risk drinks, we’re doing what we can.' Clarke believes public awareness has grown since White's death, with many people commenting they never knew about methanol poisoning. She added: 'I’ve had people say, “I went to Bali and saw this, so I avoided spirits.” I imagine we’ve reached millions of people by now.' Clarke is 'so glad' the campaign is coming from a government level, saying: 'Working towards having charity status will hopefully give us more credibility with the help from the Government.'
