Government of the Azores prepares methodology for creation of Regional Forum on Alcohol
The future Regional Forum on Alcohol may have as partners various entities, such as municipalities, associations of entrepreneurs, brewers, professional orders, security forces and entities related to health and education, among others.
"Based on the survey and identification of pressing issues, we will define the goals of action and joint intervention, as it happens with the National Forum on Alcohol," said the Regional Director in statements on the sidelines of the meeting.
Risk and harmful alcohol consumption is a major determinant of health, being a major cause of premature death and preventable diseases; young people are particularly at risk.
The Regional Health Survey of the Azores (2014) reports that about 11% of people who drink alcohol declared to have ingested five or six alcoholic beverages on a single occasion (binge drinking), three or more days in a month.
The strategy outlined by the Government for this area is the investment in prevention, having already announced a proposal to change the legal minimum age for the purchase of alcohol to 18 years.