Time to loosen the screws on alcohol bans? Very categorical: there is a limit that cannot be exceeded.

Medal: 0.0 per thousand statistics would not be realistic

The vice president of the Seimas Vytautas Mitalas in the “Facts and opinions” program says that extremely strict decisions related to alcohol consumption are not the best.

“When the laws changed, we saw a lot of anger, anger, even when considering those laws, we wanted to solve some deeper problems in our society that are related to alcohol restriction, abuse and things like that with a heavy hand. On the one hand, the researchers themselves affirm that the increase in the excise duty had the greatest impact of all these controls, when the statistics of alcohol consumption began to fall from 2011. On the other hand, international research on the group of young people clearly shows that young people consume less alcohol.

It could probably be said here that this is also due to certain changes of the time, as it does not become as relevant to young people as it used to be. The news, I think, is good, it allows us to look at this debate in a slightly different way than it might have been a few years ago, and not try to close the complex and difficult subject of a list of measures that require a complete fist policy. Lasted. We can set ourselves the goal that the culture of moderate alcohol consumption is what we want, but we do not want it to be 0.0 per thousand or percent per year in Lithuania, because we understand that these statistics would not be realistic, ”says V. Mitalas.

Veryga: I am not convinced that they will take the reins

Member of the Seimas Aurelijus Veryga assured in the program that in two or three years there have been no changes in people’s brains, so the measures applied are focused on the long-term goal.

“First of all, maybe about that forbidden fruit. We as adults are probably the most likely to react to forbidden things, especially if they change when we are adults, if we need to change the behavior we are used to. It is correct that a colleague tell us that there really has been a heated debate. An unusual topic receives so much recognition and controversy, which means that it is important in society. The most interesting thing is that for children born and raised in such conditions, they do not seem particularly prohibitive, repressive. They are not suitable for us adults because they force us to change our lifestyle, and for children it is a normal and real life that you don’t even have to adapt to. This is a long-term goal, for We say that these measures have a long-term goal, not tomorrow, but a new generation that grows up in different circumstances.

I am not convinced that the reins should be fired. What’s more, maybe a colleague will convince me that in two or three years the human brain will change, which will change something during evolution, for example, the volume can change; I don’t think they have changed in three years and we confuse the arguments. For whatever reason, we brought together those weddings and the army in one place, ”says A. Veryga.

According to him, if a person under the age of 21 does not start drinking alcohol, he does not do it later.

“The research makes it very clear that the full maturity of the human brain doesn’t really end in eighteen years, and they are more vulnerable. A significantly higher proportion of people who start taking it earlier become physically addicted. The goal is not to say that people should not drink alcohol at all, the goal is to delay the onset and then the person decides. The most interesting thing is that if a person does not start consuming before a certain age, usually under 21, they do not start, because consumption is associated with adult life, toughness, style, and until you are immature, it sticks. When he matures, he realizes that he can have fun without artificially stimulating himself, ”said the former Minister of Health.

In the European context, the 18th-19th century average

Dr. Renaldas Čiužas, director of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, says in the program that young Lithuanians are little different from young people from other European countries in terms of the context of alcohol consumption.

“Of course, when I talk about politics, I respect the speeches and opinions of both colleagues, one – an argument, the other – others. I can say what the statistics say among young people. Of course, we now have a good period in Lithuania. If we compare the research carried out in 2003, when the Lithuanian and European average had reached a peak in terms of the 15-16 year old group that tried alcohol, the figures were definitely at the highest, then today we can say that they have that European average.

Young Lithuanians differ little from young people in other countries, but the fact is that a certain proportion of young people between 15 and 16 years old drink or at least taste alcohol. That age debate: I understand that biologically, medically, maturity can be very diverse and different, but unfortunately the predominant age trend in the European context is also the average of the 18th and 19th centuries. There are several countries with stricter policies: Finland, Norway and others, ”says R. Čiužas.

When asked if the censorship of the 20th century had paid off, the interviewee said it was too early to stick with the findings.

“Three years is probably not the time to say that something can be said. This is an attempt. The formulation of such a policy probably requires a long-term concept, a long-term approach; It has already been mentioned today that if it becomes part of the culture, part of the town, of the community, the time of sale becomes the norm, and if it is presented as a prohibition, there is certainly a desire to object. There are certain trends, research shows, but I don’t think it’s possible to make a point now, “says R. Čiužas.

Veryga: Some symbolic changes would ruin the whole picture.

A. Veryga also says that various symbolic changes could ruin the already improving image.

“There is research that is clear enough. They are not very complicated. Iceland is a good example of a long-term policy, where really good results have been achieved, I think we need, if we are already leveling off, align ourselves with those countries where there are fewer problems. Scandinavians are famous as citizens of the welfare state, in such countries people value their way of life, the participation of the state not in a bad way because of the bans, only people realize that it creates additional security.

When we see trends improving, I really don’t honestly understand why we want to spoil them. Are we saying that we will achieve any good by liberalizing now? Tell me who is missing all this, ”Veryga said.

When asked if some symbolic changes could ruin the whole picture, the former minister said yes.

“Of course. We don’t even have to look at the examples from other countries anymore, we have enough time to see different periods. Lithuania has undergone several dramatic changes. Of course, after the restoration of Independence there was a collapse, there was no control, it was they sold bottles in the market – diluted with lemonade, then control came, the state began to intervene, we began to improve, then they “flooded” us to liberalize but we also went to the mountains for death. And now we are doing well, no I understand why we want to destroy it, ”said A. Veryga.