By Times of Malta
The consultation paper for the second National Alcohol Policy is dry and factual, packed with pages of numbers and graphs. But its message is one that has touched the lives of too many people, caused too many premature deaths, and destroyed too many families. It may not be an easy read but read it if you can. This first policy, which covered the years from 2018 to 2023, addressed three major themes: under-age drinking; harmful use of alcohol among adults; and drink driving. This policy refers to the 鈥榓lcogenic culture鈥 鈥 and aims to reduce three important aspects: acceptability, accessibility and availability. The first aspect was highlighted by Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon at the launch of the consultation paper. He stressed that Malta needed a cultural shift that 鈥渨ould see alcohol perceived in the same way as cigarettes, which are now almost frowned upon鈥. Among the 27 action points in the docu-ment, some are plain common sense, such as enforcement against alcohol sales to the under-aged, and policing of areas where alcohol is sold. But there is also an emphasis on availability, proposing to cut down public drinking in areas where the younger congregate. This will also have an impact on acceptability, since exposure to heavy drinking dilutes any stigma, making it part of the culture that Falzon wants to change. The message in the policy is not that any alcohol is necessarily evil but that responsible drinking and reasonable consumption have to be taught and learned. This is the right message. Malta’s overall alcohol use is still below the European average, but consumption is increasing and harmful drinking patterns among young adults are a growing concern for Maltese health authorities. The document shows a number of trends, such as increased consumption of beer and spirits, as opposed to wine. And more women drink now than 20 years ago. Another worrying trend is binge-drinking: those who consume six drinks or more during a single drinking session. The numbers are staggering: nearly 60,000 do so at least monthly; some 15,000 do so weekly; while close to 1,000 do so on an almost daily basis. And these were the figures for 2019. Drinking too much affects your behaviour: from the disastrous effects of fighting and drink-driving, to anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, and urinating and vomiting in public. Ask any residents living close to bars and they will tell you stories of unruly behaviour coming from drunk revellers. There are, of course, other aspects, such as the impact on the drinker鈥檚 health, including cardiovascular and digestive diseases. However, while excessive drinking is a scourge, the minority of drinkers that develop into full-blown alcoholics 鈥 somewhat euphemistically called 鈥榓lcohol use disorder鈥 in the policy 鈥 face major health issues including death. While the ministry鈥檚 initiative should be applauded, it is important that any action plan does not come across as judgemental or preachy. Educational messaging should incorporate real-life stories, tools, and harm-reduction strategies. This will build trust and engagement, especially among younger or sceptical drinkers. By explaining the physical, mental, and social consequences of excessive drinking in relatable terms, these campaigns can empower individuals to make informed decisions rather than reacting defensively or dismissively.