The National Alcohol Policy, a document with a five-year vision, has been launched by the Ministry for Social Policy.

This policy has been renewed to reflect the challenges and actions necessary to address alcohol consumption, the Ministry said in a statement.

It was explained that the main objective is to minimise the adverse effects linked to alcohol consumption on the health and behaviour of the individual. This document seeks to strengthen the well-being of the person affected by alcohol and at the same time incorporates family members as well. “Above all, we are ensuring that we continue to strengthen prevention against addictions not only to drugs but also to alcohol,” the Ministry said.

Chairperson of the National Addictions Advisory Board, Professor Richard Muscat explained the actions that emerge from this national policy. He said the statistics that show that alcohol consumption starts at a young age and therefore there must be clear rules regarding alcohol advertising on platforms where there are minors and adolescents.

The Ministry said that this policy aims to reduce those environments that are often most exposed to alcohol and even other illicit substances. This policy also proposes to provide interventions for those people who develop Alcohol Use Disorder.

The third set of actions proposes the need for a rigorous system to collect all information related to alcohol use in Malta, while there is a proposal to establish a monitoring body that brings together all sectors in the community, so that the implementation of these actions is carried out effectively.

The National Alcohol Policy can be found by clicking here.

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