In a significant move towards fostering a healthier society, Slovenia has launched a groundbreaking campaign titled “Z alkohola nula živim zdravo do fula” (Living Fully Alcohol-Free). This initiative aims to encourage the Slovenian public to reconsider their drinking habits and understand the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on individual, physical, and mental health, as well as its effects on family and society.
The campaign, spearheaded by notable ambassadors, invites individuals to share their methods of enjoying free time in a healthy manner on their Facebook profiles using the hashtag #nulazdravodofula. Among those who have already shared their alternatives are physician and humanitarian Ninna Kozorog, designer Ajda Rotar Urankar, acrobats Filip and Blaž, and hip-hop artist Nipke.
Participants are encouraged to post on their Facebook profiles, using the mentioned hashtag, pictures or texts showing:
- How they prefer to spend their free time in a healthy way.
- Their personal approach to living a healthy, alcohol-free life.
- Activities that enrich their daily lives and improve their wellbeing and health.
This campaign emerges from a context of serious concern regarding alcohol consumption in Slovenia. The National Institute of Public Health addresses the issue of excessive drinking in the country, where more than two individuals die daily due to alcohol-related reasons, not including victims of traffic accidents.
A significant part of this initiative involves new workshops being conducted in Health Promotion Centers across Slovenia. These workshops focus on quitting excessive alcohol consumption and building healthy relationships. They are open to all adult patients regardless of age and do not require a doctor’s referral.
Alarming statistics underscore the urgency of this campaign:
- In 2021, the registered consumption of alcohol in Slovenia was 10.62 liters of pure alcohol per capita for those aged 15 and older.
- About 55% of the adult population (aged 18-74) engages in excessive drinking at least once a year.
- Alcohol consumption is linked to over 200 diseases and injuries and significantly affects interpersonal relationships.
- Daily, more than two deaths are directly related to alcohol consumption, with an average of nearly 10 hospitalizations per day solely due to alcohol-related causes.
The key public health messages based on scientific findings are:
- Minimal or no alcohol consumption.
- There is no safe limit for alcohol consumption.
- All alcohol consumption carries risk.
- Choose a healthy alternative.
The campaign is not just about raising awareness but also about providing resources and help across Slovenia. More information about workshops on alcohol and healthy relationships, and other resources, can be found on the campaign’s dedicated web pages.
The “Living Fully Alcohol-Free” campaign invites everyone to join and share their experiences using the hashtag #nulazdravodofula, creating a collective movement towards a healthier, alcohol-free lifestyle.
Find more from SOPA (Slovenia, November 2023)
Alcohol Awareness 