SBL rolls out an anti-drinking campaign for the underage
(L-R), Ocheck Msuva Bridge for Change founder, Buberwa Clement (student), Neema Temba Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) Government Relations Manager, Hassan Bashaka (student), Ubungo District Commissioner, Henry James, Olivia Cosmas (student), SBL Communications Manager, Rispa Hatibu, and Esther Marko Mhoja, in a group photo during the launch of SBL anti-drinking campaign dubbed “Smashed” at Urafiki secondary school, yesterday in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has launched an anti-drinking program for the under-age aimed at curbing alcohol-drinking behavior among school going children.
Tanzania is among African countries with early age initiation to alcohol consumption. A study conducted in 2019 in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions found the prevalence of alcohol consumption among secondary school students aged 15 and above ranging from 12.9 percent among girls in Mwanza to 63.9 percent among boys in Kilimanjaro.
The prevalence of alcohol use among students aged 13–15 in Dar es Salaam was 5.6 percent.
SBL’s anti-drinking campaign, under the theme ‘Smashed’ is an interactive theatre experience conducted in schools to educate secondary school going students about the side effects of alcohol consumption at a tender age advising them to refrain from consuming alcohol before maturity.
“The program involves delivery of key learnings on negative effects of underage drinking to both the youth and community. The program combines use of drama presentations and students’ engagement in a motivational learning environment to equipping them with facts, skills, and confidence to make responsible choices and develop responsible attitudes in health-related matters,” said Rispa Hatibu, SBL’s Communications Manager.
Speaking at the launch of the program in the secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Hatibu said, SBL was delighted to support the adoption of the SMASHED underage drinking program as it strengthens activities to ensure that their products are not sold to or consumed by persons under the age of eighteen years.
She said the program be implemented countrywide in phases starting in Dar es Salaam and Tanga regions this year. Over 15,000 students are planned to be reached by the program in the two regions
The event was attended by Ubungo District Commission Henry James who hailed SBL for coming up with an intervention to address the problem of alcohol consumption among the underage.
“This intervention is timely and will go along way in helping promote good behavior among our children,” James said.
