Overview

• Simone White, 28, died in Laos after drinking shots at a hostel bar in a case reported as suspected methanol poisoning.
• Family representative Amanda Dennis warns that buying spirits in popular gap-year destinations is like "Russian roulette" and calls for clearer, stronger travel advice.
• The UK Health Security Agency states that even small amounts of methanol are dangerous and can cause blindness or death.
• Campaigners stress that contamination often occurs during poor distillation or deliberate adulteration, meaning branded sealed bottles may still be unsafe; the 2013 death of Cheznye Emmons followed a shop-bought gin later found to contain methanol.
• Conservative MP Laura Trott has a ten-minute Commons slot on September 3 to present a Methanol Poisoning (Travel Advice) Bill, which she says has cross-party support and would require prominent guidance in countries with known risk.