Rwanda is a small landlocked country in East Africa, known for its remarkable recovery from the 1994 genocide and its impressive economic and social development. Rwanda is also one of the few countries in the world that has adopted a radical policy to reduce alcohol consumption and its harmful effects: drink less.
Drink less, also known as TunyweLess, is a term coined by the Rwandan government to describe its strategy of banning the production, sale and consumption of traditional alcoholic beverages, such as banana beer and sorghum beer, which are widely consumed by the rural population. These beverages are often brewed in unhygienic conditions and have high alcohol content, ranging from 15% to 40%. They are also associated with various health and social problems, such as liver cirrhosis, domestic violence, road accidents, poverty and malnutrition¹.
The drink less policy was introduced in 2023, as part of the government's vision to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country by 2035. The policy aims to promote public health, safety and productivity, as well as to foster a culture of sobriety and discipline among the citizens. The policy is enforced by strict regulations, inspections and penalties for offenders. The government also provides alternative livelihoods and income-generating activities for the former brewers and sellers of traditional alcohol².
The policy has received mixed reactions from different stakeholders. Some have praised it as a bold and innovative measure to address a major public health challenge and to improve the quality of life of the people. Others have criticized it as a violation of human rights and cultural traditions, as well as a source of economic hardship and social discontent for the affected communities. Some have also questioned its effectiveness and sustainability, given the lack of adequate resources, awareness and alternatives for the implementation and monitoring of the policy³.
The drink less policy is an example of Rwanda's adoption of progressive legislation for the protection of its citizens' well-being. It reflects the country's commitment to achieving its development goals and to becoming a model for other African countries. However, the policy also faces significant challenges and requires careful evaluation and adjustment to ensure its success and acceptance by the population³.
For those who are struggling with alcohol addiction or want to decrease their alcohol consumption, there are some tips that can help them create healthy drinking habits and prevent alcohol use disorder (AUD):
a) Drink moderately or practice low-risk drinking
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend non-drinkers abstain from alcohol completely. For those who choose to drink, they should limit their intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men⁴.
b) Set goals and prepare for change
Whether you want to quit drinking altogether or cut down to healthier levels, you should make a clear plan that works for you. You can write down your drinking goal, your quit date, your reasons for changing, your triggers and coping strategies⁵.
c) Talk about it
Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking. You can also join a support group or seek professional help if needed⁵.
d) Change your environment
Remove any reminders of your addiction from your home and workplace. Avoid places or situations where you are tempted to drink. Find new hobbies or activities that do not involve alcohol⁶.
e) Find new meaning in life
Alcohol may have been a way to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness or other problems. To stop drinking, you need to find alternative ways to deal with these issues. You can try meditation, exercise, volunteering, learning new skills or pursuing your passions⁶.
To eradicate alcohol-related harm at the population level, there is a need for a public health approach that involves evidence-based policies and interventions that target the availability, affordability, accessibility and attractiveness of alcohol. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the SAFER initiative in 2018, which is an acronym for the five most cost-effective interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm:
1. Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability
This includes enacting and enforcing laws that limit the hours and days of sale, the minimum legal age of purchase, the number and location of outlets, and the licensing system⁷.
2. Advance and enforce drink driving counter measures
This includes enacting and enforcing strong drink-driving laws that set low blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for drivers, especially for young or novice drivers; implementing sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing; imposing administrative sanctions such as license suspension or vehicle impoundment; providing education and awareness campaigns; and offering treatment programs for offenders⁷.
3. Facilitate access to screening, brief interventions and treatment
This includes providing health professionals with training and guidelines on how to identify and assist people with harmful or hazardous alcohol use; integrating alcohol screening and brief interventions into primary health care and other settings; ensuring the availability and affordability of treatment services for people with alcohol dependence or co-occurring disorders; and promoting self-help and mutual support groups⁷.
4. Enforce bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion.
This includes enacting and enforcing bans or comprehensive restrictions on exposure to alcohol marketing in traditional media (such as TV, radio, print, outdoor) and digital media (such as internet, social media, mobile); regulating the content and placement of alcohol labels and warnings; prohibiting or regulating the sponsorship of sporting or cultural events by alcohol producers or retailers; and monitoring and reporting the violations of the regulations⁷.
5. Raise prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing policies
This includes increasing the excise taxes on alcoholic beverages to reduce their affordability and consumption; implementing minimum unit pricing or floor prices to prevent the sale of very cheap alcohol; banning or restricting price discounts, promotions or offers; and adjusting the tax rates according to the alcohol content, inflation and income⁷.
These interventions are based on the best available scientific evidence and have been proven to be effective, feasible and cost-effective in different contexts. They are also aligned with the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol adopted by the WHO in 2010. By implementing these interventions, countries can make significant progress towards achieving the global target of reducing harmful use of alcohol by 10% by 2025.
References
- How to Stop Drinking: 14 Tips for Success - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/how-to-stop-drinking.
- Overcoming Alcohol Addiction - HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-alcohol-addiction.htm.
- Tips for Preventing Alcohol Abuse & Addiction. https://www.addictiongroup.org/alcohol/addiction/prevention/.
- 5 action steps for quitting an addiction - Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/five-action-steps-for-quitting-an-addiction.
- Alcohol and Public Health | CDC - Centers for Disease Control and .... https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm.
- SAFER - alcohol control initiative - World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/initiatives/SAFER.
- Addressing alcohol consumption and socioeconomic inequalities: how a .... https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789240043312.
Post a Comment
Full Name :
Adress:
Contact :
Comment: