SERENGETI Breweries Limited (SBL) has launched on education programme aimed at strengthening the culture of underage drinking and reducing alcohol-related harm among young people in Tanga region.
The initiative dubbed Smashed Programme represents a vital step towards fostering responsible choices and empowering the youth with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption and completely discourage underage alcohol consumption.
The SBL Communications and Sustainability Manager Ms Rispa Hatibu said on Thursday that the programme is not just about discouraging underage drinking, it’s about empowering young minds to make informed and responsible choices.
“It encourages students to prioritise their education and develop crucial skills, such as emotional intelligence, which will serve as invaluable tools in navigating life’s challenges,” she said.
She said alcohol use during early childhood and adolescence can have long-term detrimental health, social, economic and developmental effects on youth and society.
“Students are all part of a larger community beyond these school grounds and we all share a responsibility for the well-being of our peers and society as a whole.
Encourage your friends and classmates to make responsible choices and stand up against underage drinking,” she said.
Study conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2018 shows that youth who start drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are six times more likely to develop alcohol dependency problems than those who start drinking after the age of 21.
Due to this SBL introduced the programme in 2021, and it has already made a significant impact on youth.
As of today, SBL has reached 22 schools, educating over 24,025 students across the country.
