Toulouse supports Dry January to “reflect” on its alcohol consumption
After the excess of the holidays, it’s Dry January. This public health campaign encourages the absence of alcohol consumption throughout the month of January. Originally it is a british experience issued by Alcohol Change UK fr 2013.
Support from the city of Toulouse
Officially the State is still not a partner of the event (in 2019, it even withdrew its partnership at the last moment) but major cities will provide it. Toulouse Metropolis just broadcast a message on his site
(like Grenoble, Lyon, Nantes and very early January, Paris.)
And then, for the first time Public Health Francein partnership with the Ministry of Health, launched from January 9 to 31 a system “for support, relaying information and sharing tips for becoming aware of and reducing alcohol consumption. Santé Publique France thus highlights, through advertise a campaign : “Good health has nothing to do with alcohol.”
Many 18 to 35 year olds
Each year, about 10% of French people participate in “Dry January” according to the association that carries the initiative. Last year, campaign organizers even noted a 15% increase in downloads of the Try Dry app,
which accompanies those who wish to reflect on their alcohol consumption. A process that particularly affects young people. In 2020, 35% of 18-35 year olds have tried the experience (and women are also in the majority with 58%).
Taken seriously
In the south-west, where wine is produced, of course, this “dry January” is not viewed favorably. The profession has of course the spots that have been playing on radio and TV lately. “Keeping healthy, yes, but without alcohol, it’s better!”
For Benjamin Piccoli, the director of the Fronton wine house, you have to be attentive. He believes that over time, this campaign could, like the tobacco-free month, grow. “We can’t say that Dry January is only a boo in the city centers. It affects everyone and has been seen in the media. We have to take this into account by advocating responsible consumption. We say not that you shouldn’t drink for a month, but that you should always drink in moderation. It’s more important than having a fast on alcohol and then consuming it anyhow”. But we send however the concern of the profession: “If everyone stops for one month out of twelve, it could have significant economic consequences, in a sector that is not doing very well.” For the moment, winegrowers do not see the impact of “Dry January”, nor do the bars surveyed.
Non-alcoholic drinks
On the shelves, while wine sales are falling, non-alcoholic offers are multiplying. Mathieu Daupleix is a brewer in Gaillac. It was he who founded the craft beer brand La Berlue. For the moment… he doesn’t have any non-alcoholic beer in his catalog yet. But he is working on it. A social responsibility, he says.
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In France, the number of deaths due to alcohol amounts to 41,000 per year (75,000 for tobacco) by Public Health France.