Raise the price of alcohol and lower drink-drive limits, Caritas says

The government was urged on Wednesday to raise the price of alcoholic drinks, lower the drink-drive limit and intensify educational campaigns on alcoholism.

A set of recommendations was made by Caritas Malta in a submission as part of the government's consultation on the draft National Alcohol Policy.

The church organisation, which is active in the rehabilitation of alcoholics, issued a number of recommendations.

Health warnings

It said the public should be informed about the health and social risks associated with alcohol. There should be mandatory, visible and up-to-date warnings on all alcoholic products, sales points and advertisements. The warnings should also provide details for support services and/or helplines.

Warnings should also include information on the legal drinking age, the risks of drink-driving, the risks to pregnancy/breastfeeding and the impact of alcohol on the body.

Advertising and marketing

The NGO said alcohol advertisements should be banned in public spaces (such as billboards & buses). Advertisements on TV and radio should be limited to after 10pm and before 5am.

Drink-driving regulations

As for drink-driving, Caritas said that while zero tolerance was the ideal, at a minimum, the Blood Alcohol Concentration limit should be reduced to 20mg/100ml to better protect public safety. 

Malta's current limit is of 50mg/100ml for most drivers, though a 20mg/100ml limit applies to drivers of motorcycles, taxis, trucks and novice drivers. 

Caritas also argued there should be mandatory intoxication tests in all accidents involving bodily harm, and random breathalyser testing should be allowed, even without suspicion.

There should also be national awareness campaigns on drink-driving dangers.

Higher minimum unit pricing

Caritas said the minimum price of alcohol should be raised to €0.75 per unit (in line with Scotland). "The aim is to reduce the affordability of binge drinking," it said. This would not be a tax as revenue would remain with the industry.

Pregnancy and alcohol

The NGO noted that alcohol use among women is rising, and it said there is a need for targeted interventions. Public campaigns should promote zero alcohol use for women trying to conceive, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, it said.

Raise legal drinking age to 21 years

Caritas suggested that the legal drinking age should be raised to 21 years (from the current 17) and there should be increased support for early, school-based education on alcohol risks.

It also called for a cultural shift towards informed and contained consumption, like the change seen in the public attitude towards smoking.

Law enforcement

Caritas called for strict law enforcement on the sale of alcohol, with checks of IDs in grocery stores, supermarkets and restaurants and events such as St Patrick's Day and beer/wine festivals.

There should also be court-mandated AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) sessions or services provided by Caritas, Sedqa and Oasi for alcohol-related offenders.