‘We need a culture change’: national strategy on alcohol launched

Malta needs a cultural shift that would see alcohol perceived in the same way as cigarettes, which are now almost frowned upon, according to Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon. 

Falzon was speaking at the launch of the latest National Alcohol Policy on Wednesday.  

The aim of the policy is to reduce alcohol consumption in the population through evidence-based strategies. 

The document will be open for public consultation for five weeks. Relevant stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback by not later than July 31. 

The policy will look at ways to minimise the harm caused by alcohol consumption, including the direct effects on individuals’ health and behaviour, as well as the resulting social impact.  

Negative effects of alcohol include cardiovascular and digestive diseases, unintentional injuries such as those caused by driving drunk, and intentional injuries like physical abuse towards others. 

Falzon said that while there was widespread agreement that drugs were harmful, there was more tolerance towards alcohol in Maltese and wider Mediterranean culture.  

“It’s here that we need to make a cultural change. If you watch documentaries about 20th century history, you see everyone smoking. But nowadays smoking is almost frowned upon,” he said. 

 “You have to be realistic about your aims, as these things take time. However, I believe that there should be labels on alcoholic beverages that show the harmful effects of over-consumption, just like with cigarettes.” 

Professor Richard Muscat, who is leading the consultation, referred to World Health Organisation figures that show that local, annual per capita consumption of alcohol increased from 6.9 litres in 2010 to 8.5 litres in 2019.  

“While this is below the European average, Malta is experiencing an upward trend in consumption while in Europe it is going down,” he said, adding that the increase was attributed mainly to an increase in the consumption of beer and spirits.  

Meanwhile, data from the latest General Population Survey carried out in 2023 indicated that around 80 per cent of people in Malta had drunk alcohol at least once in their lifetime, up from 76 per cent in 2013. 

“The data also shows that if people do not consume alcohol at a young age, they will be less likely to start drinking later in life, so we need to catch people while they’re young.” 

Professor Richard Muscat. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

Muscat said the focus of the policy would be on acceptability, availability and accessibility.  

“If alcohol is less acceptable in society, the less likely someone will be to drink it.” 

Muscat suggested that potential measures could include having alcohol-free zones in towns and medical screenings that would give an indication of a person’s drinking habits.