Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry supports high school efforts to prevent under-age alcohol consumption

Press release 14 February 2005

Best Junior High plans win AFTER EIGHTEEN awards

Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry supports high school efforts to prevent under-age alcohol consumption

Halikko Junior High School was today awarded the AFTER EIGHTEEN award by the Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry and the Youth Academy for having drawn up the best plans to help young people avoid consuming alcohol. This is the third year of the annual award, through which the federation supports alcohol education and highlights the brewing industry’s responsibility as an alcohol manufacturer. A total of eight schools received awards.

Eight schools received the AFTER EIGHTEEN award presented by The Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry and the Youth Academy. A jury consisting of representatives of the federation, the Youth Academy, students and teachers chose the plans drawn up by Halikko Junior High School’s as the best of those presented. The first prize was EUR 1000. Other schools receiving special mention were Vihtavuori School in Laukaa, Meriluoto School in Pieksämäki, Halsua Junior High, Harjula School in Kangasala, Korpilahti Junior High, Viinijärvi School in Liperi, and Sysmä Comprehensive School. The total value of the prizes awarded was EUR 5000. The money will be used by the winning schools to stage some of their planned events.

”The winning plans involved young people in active roles and highlighted their wish to reduce alcohol consumption among their peers. These types of activity have the best chance of influencing behaviour”, said Hartwall’s Agneta Selroos, who chaired the jury. ”We are delighted that the AFTER EIGHTEEN awards are now well known and that the quality of applications continues to improve. When matters of this type are talked about in schools, making action plans gives them concrete form.

The brewing industry does not manufacture or market alcoholic drinks for people who have not reached the age of 18. In spite of this, alcoholic drinks find their way into the hands of under-age consumers. For its part, the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry wishes to participate in efforts to prevent children's well-being from being adversely affected by alcohol, and to support young people in maturing into responsible adults. The Youth Academy has made a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s Alcohol Programme 2004-2007. Through the Youth Academy, the brewing industry participates in putting the Alcohol Programme into action.

Additional information:
Communications Manager Katri Tuulensuu, tel. +358 (0)9 1488 7601, GSM +358 (0)40 777 1938
Susanna Winter, Youth Academy, tel. +358 9 3487 0602

The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry promotes the interests of producers of beer, cider, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters in Finland. Its members are Oy Hartwall Ab, Nokian Panimo Oy, Olvi Oyj and Oy Sinebrychoff Ab. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry operates in connection with the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation and is among the three largest industries in the food and drink branch in terms of the value of production