Uruguay Attempts to Decrease Alcohol Consumption Among Youngsters
In an effort to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages among young people, the government of Uruguay launched the "Free Pass" program which will offer free tickets to clubs to people who will agree to take an alcohol test.
An EFE report published by Latino Fox News said that the pilot project aims to encourage people that they could enjoy and have fun without consuming booze.
Public Health Minister Jorge Basso said they will set up tents near establishments and give free passes to people who will take an alcohol test prior to entering clubs.
"Basically, we'll be installing mobile posts near some clubs in Canelones and Rocha (provinces in southern and southeastern Uruguay) in a pilot test over the first 15 days of January, where tests to measure the presence of alcohol in the blood will be conducted on youngsters who want to get in without paying," Basso explained.
Latino Fox News added that the Uruguayan government is currently dealing with a "social health phenomenon" since studies in the past revealed that youngsters in the country are already consuming alcohol when they reach 13.
The Panam Post mentioned that 8 percent of the alcohol consumption in the country is "problematic" with 5 percent of it being related to minors.
Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez, who was elected to his post in March 2015, vowed that he will take strong measures versus excessive alcohol intake.
Less than a month after he took office, Vazquez met the Beverage Union, Alcoholics Anonymous and Milton Romani, the National Board of Drugs director, to discuss ways on how alcohol consumption in the country could be limited.
The president also plans to limit alcohol advertising, create more demand and impose new sanctions in a law that is yet to be created.
"Consumers won't be persecuted but alcohol will not be sold in every store," the President noted urging people to keep an open mind on the new resolution. He also firmly believes that alcohol is "a gateway" to drug use and other prohibited substances.
Quandl noted that an Uruguay citizen could be expected to consume 6.60 liters of pure alcohol annually.
With these figures, drunk driving has also become a problem in the country but The Flama said that a "zero-tolerance law" is coming this month.
It said that Vasquez has passed a law on Dec. 28 banning drivers from driving vehicles if they have a blood alcohol level of more than 0 percent. The president has reportedly lobbied to lower the BAC which was previously set at 0.3 g/L.