The Sense Group favours underage drinking ban drive

The Sense Group, which is supported by companies that produce and sell alcoholic beverages in Malta, has welcomed the proposed law that would make it illegal for those aged under 16 to procure, possess, or consume alcohol.

TSG said that, ever since it was set up in October 1997, it has never missed an opportunity to educate and remind youths over 16 to refrain from binge drinking and to drink responsibly if they choose to drink. The group took a number of initiatives to promote the principle of moderate consumption of alcohol among adults.

TSG chief executive Joe Farrugia said: "As responsible companies, we firmly believe that the national information campaign that will be promoted by an inter-ministerial permanent focus group, led by Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina is a step in the right direction to create awareness that underage drinking should be curbed.

"Our belief stems from the fact that TSG's educational campaigns are proving to be effective, year after year on issues such as drinking and driving. Based on common sense, these campaigns are sensitising the Maltese society and bringing about a change in the collective attitude. At the same time, they serve to stem the minority of those who abuse in the use of alcohol."

The group's "uncompromising and hard-hitting" campaigns in favour of common sense and against alcohol misuse, he added, are not sporadic, neither in content nor in frequency. They are aimed to cover three categories: upholding the law, promoting best practice and informing individual choice by promoting moderate and responsible drinking.

"All our campaigns have conveyed practical recommendations with the main aim of achieving increased levels of awareness and compliance with existing laws for the benefit of all. Therefore, TSG hopes that the inter-ministerial national campaign will continue to build on and promote these objectives," he concluded.