A Queensland traveller whose best friend was one of six people who died in November’s tragic Laos backpacker poisoning incident has started a petition calling for airports to display prominent warnings about the dangers of drinking methanol. 

Bethany Clarke, who now lives and works in Queensland after growing up in the UK, was travelling with her childhood friend Simone White when Simone and five others, including 19-year-old Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, died of methanol poisoning believed to have come from laced cocktails.

“Other travellers have become blind and many others have been left traumatised by their experiences,” Ms Clarke states. 

“Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated.”

Ms Clarke said airports were crucial information centres capable of providing warnings for millions of international travellers.

Cairns Airport is one such destination that is popular with travellers on backpacker circuits, offering more than 100 flights every week to Southeast Asian destinations such as Laos and Cambodia.

“Despite the pressing need, there is a lack of visible warnings and educational materials about methanol poisoning in airports around the world,” she said.

Ms Clarke is calling for mandatory measures at airports including: Displaying warning signs about the risk of methanol poisoning at check-ins and in departure lounges; Distributing leaflets to travellers about methanol poisoning, and; Installing guidance counters where travellers can learn about the risks of drinking alcohol abroad. 

“No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone,” she said.

Ms White was a UK lawyer who met her childhood friend at Laos, part way between Australia and the UK, for a holiday together.