Bonaire has launched Nothing Nada Nix18, a campaign highlighting the risks of alcohol use among children and young people. Led by GGD Bonaire, the island’s public health service, the campaign carries a clear message: no alcohol under the age of 18. Its official launch on 14 October 2026 included the unveiling of a campaign mural.

The campaign draws attention to the extent of alcohol use among young people on the island. In the 2023 Global School-based Student Health Survey, 31.6% of students aged 13 to 17 reported drinking alcohol in the previous 30 days, while 19.3% said they had been drunk at least once in their lives. GGD Bonaire also reports that young people often buy alcohol themselves in shops or obtain it through family members and acquaintances.

Alongside information about alcohol’s effects on developing bodies and brains, the campaign emphasises the role of the people around young people. Parents, relatives, schools, organisations and other adults are encouraged to set an example and talk to young people about alcohol. The public health service recommends that those under 18 do not drink, adding that, for adults too, less alcohol is better for health.

Nothing Nada Nix18 is a Caribbean adaptation of the Dutch NIX18 campaign, developed with input from the region and intended for rollout across Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Music is a central part of the campaign: a song and video are available in Papiamento, Dutch and English, with the aim of making the message accessible and encouraging conversations about alcohol.

Find more from Bonaire Gov (Bonaire Caribisch Nederland, October 2026)