KIGALI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Rwandan government has launched a campaign called "TunyweLess" ("Let's Drink Less" in Kiswahili) after a recent survey showed a significant increase in alcohol consumption among people, especially the youth in the country.
The campaign aims to urge people to either stop drinking or drink less, Francois Uwinkindi, division manager of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), told Xinhua in a recent interview in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
"We are implementing various preventive measures and interventions to address excess alcohol consumption and prioritize the well-being of future generations," he said.
In June, the RBC 2022 population-based national survey on the prevalence of NCD risk factors in Rwanda showed that alcohol consumption in the country has increased from 41 percent in 2013 to 48 percent in 2022.
The survey, which aimed to collect data on various risk factors for NCDs, involved face-to-face interviews and physical and biochemical measurements of 5,676 people aged 18-69 from all four provinces of Rwanda and the City of Kigali.
According to him, the rise in alcohol consumption, especially among individuals between 40 and 49 years of age, and the youth, is a cause for concern.
"An increase in disposable income among some age groups might be contributing to the higher alcohol consumption rates. Additionally, peer pressure and unemployment among the youth are believed to be influencing factors," Uwinkindi said. "An in-depth study is being planned to understand the root causes better and guide intervention measures."
To combat the growing trend of alcohol consumption among the youth, Uwunkindi said that the government is focusing on awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of excessive drinking.
He pointed out that limiting alcohol advertisements, similar to the approach taken with tobacco, is being considered to reduce its appeal.
Other potential strategies include increasing taxes on alcohol, regulating commercialization and drinking hours, and enforcing laws against drunk driving are preventive measures the government should also look into, added Uwinkindi.
He said that the government is emphasizing family education and going back to cultural values to teach children about the dangers of alcohol consumption.
"Empowering the youth by creating job opportunities and promoting a bright future that avoids alcohol abuse is also part of the strategy," Uwinkindi said.
According to him, counseling and rehabilitation services are available in Rwanda to assist individuals battling alcohol addiction. The focus, however, is primarily on prevention rather than solely relying on rehabilitation centers.
Yvonne Ahishize, manager of Iwacu Plus 250 Bar and Restaurant in Kigali, told Xinhua that the restaurant has joined the campaign to raise awareness and limit excess alcohol consumption among people, especially the youth.
"We have strengthened our alcohol consumption regulations, ensuring that our waiters and waitresses are aware that it is not allowed to continue offering alcohol to those who are already too drunk," she said. "Our waiters need to politely communicate with customers to stop drinking or deny them alcohol by informing them that the specific alcohol brand they want is currently unavailable. This approach aims to discourage them from requesting more drinks."
Teddy Niyongira, a waitress at the restaurant, said that when they see a client continuing to ask for more alcohol even when they are already too drunk, they inform them that the alcohol is finished.
"This measure is taken to protect and save their life from the potential damages of alcohol and other side effects. Sometimes, we involve the staff manager to intervene and politely advise our intoxicated clients to refrain from further alcohol consumption, ensuring we do not hurt their feelings or give them a reason to leave the bar," she added.
At the launch of the report findings, Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwandan minister of Health, emphasized the need to reverse the trend of alcohol consumption in Rwanda. He warned that excessive alcohol consumption is linked to NCDs, including certain types of cancer.
The survey further revealed that the frequency of alcohol consumption was higher in men (61.9 percent) than in women (34.3 percent), with a significant difference. Among the provinces, the western province had the highest rate of heavy alcohol drinking.
