The new Está en tu mano campaign, led by Asociación DUAL and funded by Spain’s National Plan on Drugs, encourages young people to recognize their power to shape their own future when it comes to alcohol consumption. The campaign delivers a positive message: choosing not to drink is in their hands, and the decisions they make today will impact their future. According to Raúl Izquierdo, psychologist and technical director at Asociación DUAL, active involvement of parents and guardians is crucial in preventing underage drinking. Providing families with the right tools to address this issue is a key focus of the initiative.

A core theme of the campaign is the strong influence that parental behavior has on young people’s attitudes toward alcohol. Raúl Izquierdo emphasizes that children often imitate the drinking patterns of their parents. Studies show that higher parental alcohol consumption is linked to increased drinking among their children. Conversely, when adults model moderate or minimal consumption, or reserve alcohol for special occasions, young people are more likely to delay drinking and approach alcohol more cautiously.

The campaign also highlights the need to avoid alcohol consumption in spaces where minors are present, such as parks or children’s birthday venues. Izquierdo points out the risks when adults drink in front of children, whether during family celebrations or in public places. He calls for greater parental awareness, stressing that the choices adults make in these settings send powerful messages to their children. The campaign further advocates for restricting both direct and indirect advertising of alcohol, especially the marketing of “alcohol-free” drinks that mimic the branding of their alcoholic counterparts.

The Está en tu mano campaign coincides with the ongoing parliamentary process for Spain’s new Law for the Prevention of Alcohol Consumption in Minors. This proposed legislation aims to keep alcohol away from public spaces frequented by minors and to set clearer social norms about youth alcohol use. Joan Ramón Villalbí, the government’s delegate for the National Plan on Drugs, believes the law will have a significant educational impact if passed, aligning societal expectations with public health priorities. While alcohol consumption among minors remains prohibited and subject to penalties, Villalbí notes that Spanish society is increasingly aware of alcohol’s risks, and new measures are being taken to reduce minors’ exposure to alcohol and its promotion.

Find more from Asociación DUAL (Spain, May 2025)