The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Horta that the new legal scheme on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages falls within an integrated and comprehensive plan that goes beyond the access of minors to alcoholic beverages.
 
"The reduction of the access of minors to alcoholic beverages makes sense, not as an isolated measure but as a measure that falls within in this global approach to the phenomenon of alcohol consumption in the Azores," said Rui Luís. He spoke Tuesday at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of the proposal for a new legal scheme.
 
The legal document approved by the Parliament, among other things, stipulates the minimum age for sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at 18. It falls within the Action Plan for the Reduction of Alcohol-Related Problems for the period 2018-2020 and comprises a series of interventions throughout life and in different contexts.
 
Rui Luís recalled some alcohol consumption indicators in the Azores, pointing out the intervention model adopted by the Regional Government, which is based on mechanisms for prevention, deterrence, treatment, risk reduction, harm minimisation and reinsertion.
 
"In the surveys conducted on National Defence Day to 18 year old young people, the prevalence of binge consumption in the last 12 months in the Azores is at 46.5%, a figure lower than the national average, which stands at 49.6%. In turn, the prevalence of intoxication is at 32% while the national average stands at 31.4%, with the Azores being fifth in a total of seven regions," stressed the government official.
 
Rui Luís said that the "Action Plan for the Reduction of Alcohol-Related Problems has been put into practice, as several measures have already been implemented."
 
In this context, the government official pointed out the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health, whose first meeting will take place on July 27.
 
It consists of a platform in which several public and private entities sign a letter of commitment to develop a series of relevant actions in this area. This initiative also provides a space for sharing, discussion and reflection on contents related to the harmful use of alcohol.
 
The Secretary for Health also highlighted the overall goals of the Action Plan towards the reduction of alcohol supply and demand. In this context, he added that "this challenge in reducing alcohol-related problems and the promotion of healthy living habits for future health gains are collective tasks that require persistence and congregation of efforts."