“On the occasion of World Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day on September 9, Addiction Suisse launched an information campaign to call on the population to actively support an alcohol-free pregnancy. This is in fact the only sure way to avoid alcohol-related disorders in children.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy carries health risks for the unborn child. Current scientific knowledge does not make it possible to define a threshold below which consumption would have no negative effects or a period of pregnancy during which it would not have harmful consequences on the embryo or the fetus. Experts therefore recommend giving up alcohol as soon as a pregnancy is planned and during it. This is indeed the safest choice to avoid alcohol-related damage in children.

The information campaign launched by Addiction Suisse calls for the joint promotion of an alcohol-free pregnancy and provides practical advice to future parents.

• The new website, available in three languages, raises awareness of health risks and gives advice to future parents to achieve the zero alcohol goal.
• A handy leaflet provides useful tips for quitting alcohol for pregnant women and those around them.
• An Internet campaign completes the information campaign.”

Find more from Addiction Suisse (Switzerland, September 2021)