NATIONAL ALCOHOL POLICY 2013

BENJAMIN

VEL

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION

• Background• Aims• Main provisions of the Policy• Questions

BACKGROUND

• Worldwide impact of alcohol consumption• 3.8% of all deaths • 4.5% of the burden of injury and disease

• Impact in Seychelles• Major concerns in SeychellesProduction & saleAdvertisingAlcohol & childrenAlcohol & productivity

Slavery

WHAT IS THE SITUATION?• Murky situation – how many, what do they

produce & who buys them?

• Baka /Lapire producers drop out of regularised situation, but keeps producing

• Consumption patterns

SEYCHELLES HEART STUDY 2004

• 60% of men and 20% of women drink on a regular basis

• Amongst these, 20% of all men drink > 5 drinks/day•40% of men >10 drinks•15% >20 drinks on special occasions.

• High tolerance for drinking among men

CHILD WELL-BEING STUDY 2008

• 2007, 2 girls <15 yrs treated for alcohol dependence

• 241 clients at the Centre in 2006•92 alcohol dependence•140 heroin

Amount drunk Frequency % A single drink 158 13.3 2 drinks 205 17.3 3 drinks 155 13.1 4 drinks 111 9.4 5 drinks 100 8.4 More than 5 drinks 130 10.9

Sub-total: 859 72.4% Total 1185 1185

Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour Study 2012

ALCOPOPS • Attractive to children, girls, women &

new drinkers• Likelihood of binge drinking due to the

high sugar content,• Alcohol percentage is high, with some

drinks as high as 21%,• Low price per alcohol content• Small bottles

THE POLICY IN BRIEF• Preamble

• 9 position statements about alcohol by GOS

• 5 aims

• 8 priority areas

• 39 provisions to control alcohol production, distribution, sale, promotion, advertising & consumption

PREAMBLE1.The Government recognises the harm caused to

individuals, families and society by excessive use of alcohol. Consequently, the Government encourages abstinence and moderation for reasons of health and peace in families and society.

2. The population in general will therefore be sensitised about the dangers of excessive drinking and education programmes against alcohol in schools will be reinforced.

3. It is always an acceptable choice to abstain from consuming alcoholic products.

4. Alcohol is a legal consumer product and its moderate consumption by adults is acceptable behaviour.

5. Consumers of alcoholic beverages have the right to accurate information, to know what they are consuming so that they could make informed choices. They have the right to safe products.

6. Consumers of alcoholic products must do so while respecting the right of others to safe roads, workplaces, public places and homes.

7. Sale of alcohol to children is not condoned and the Government will take steps to ensure that the law against the sale of alcohol to minors will be vigorously enforced.

8. The Government is committed to the rehabilitation of victims of alcohol abuse so that they can return to normal life.

9. The Government is also committed to conducting research into the root causes of alcohol abuse and into ways and means of eliminating these causes.

AIMS 1. Reduce negative health Impact due to excessive alcohol consumption

through reduction of the level of alcohol consumption in the country

2. Encourage responsible drinking behaviours by adult consumers

3. Ensure that alcohol products are manufactured in hygienic conditions

4. Ensure that children (<18 yrs.) to make informed choices about whether they will choose to consume alcohol as adults

5. Inform and educate the adult population on the risks of excessive use of alcohol.

MAIN PRIORITIES 11. The Manufacturers of Alcoholic Products

2. Alcohol and Children

3. Alcohol and the Workplace

4.Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol;

MAIN PRIORITIES 25. Drinking in Public Places and in Public View

6. Advertising and Promotion of Alcoholic Products

7. Production and Sale of Baka and Lapire as Licensable Activities

8.Educational and Health Issues

MAIN PROVISIONS 1• Stringent manufacturing requirements• Consumer information – labelling• Monitoring of the market• Information, education and communication to

children• Age limit for alcohol consumption – 18 yrs.• No alcohol policy in educational institutions• Alcohol-free activities for children• No sponsorship from alcohol manufacturers for

children’s programmes / activities

• Institutionalisation of Employee Assistance Programmes

• Alcohol-free workplaces

• Treatment for workers in trouble

• Testing of employees

DRINKING AND DRIVING

• Police spot checks & breathalysers.

• point system for driving licenses

• Designated driver policy for all workplaces

• No serving to already intoxicated clients

• Increase penalties DUI

MAIN PROVISIONS 4 – DRINKING IN PUBLIC

• Opening hours for shops & baka/lapire sheds

• Designated areas / sites for drinking alcohol

• Community policing

MAIN PROVISIONS 5 – HOME-BREWED ALCOHOLS• Quota system for home-brewed

alcohols• Monitoring & enforcement system•Review of the law & punishment given

• Limits in home production

• Increase in license fees

• No promotional activities for alcohol

• No linking of alcohol & sports & children

• Public education programmes• Institutionalisation of alcohol

education (schools, teacher training, University)

QUESTIONS