A recent survey revealed that Cypriot children have easy access to alcohol, surpassing the European average, with 87% reporting easy access. While they consume less alcohol in volume, they drink more frequently than their European peers, with boys drinking more heavily than girls. Health advocates are raising concerns about the associated health risks and urging for educational campaigns and policy changes to address this issue.
What are the trends in alcohol consumption among Cypriot youths?
Cypriot children find alcohol highly accessible, with 87% reporting easy access, surpassing the European average. They consume less alcohol in volume but drink more frequently than other European youths. Boys tend to drink more heavily than girls, and health advocates are raising concerns about the associated health risks, urging for educational campaigns and policy changes to address this issue.
Alcohol use among Cypriot children has surfaced as a topic of concern and interest, following insights from a recent survey. This piece delves into the drinking habits of Cypriot children, especially in comparison to their European peers.
Access to Alcohol: A Cypriot Ease
In a striking revelation, an expansive survey involving 15 and 16-year-olds across Europe has highlighted that Cypriot children find it remarkably easy to get their hands on alcohol. A substantial 87 percent of the young respondents in Cyprus reported that obtaining alcohol is “easy or very easy” for them. This number significantly overshadows the European mean, which sits at 78 percent.
Drinking Patterns: Quantity Versus Frequency
Despite the higher accessibility, Cypriot children tend to consume less alcohol in terms of volume, contrasted with other European youngsters. However, they do so more frequently. While this might seem like a less alarming statistic, it suggests a normalized culture of drinking among the youth in Cyprus. Interestingly, only 11 percent of the surveyed Cypriot youth admitted to having been intoxicated in the past month. This figure falls below the European average, where 13 percent reported a similar experience.
Gender Differences in Drinking Habits
Diving deeper into gender-specific data, the survey uncovered that Cypriot boys are more prone to heavier drinking compared to girls. Out of the male participants, 44 percent acknowledged consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a single instance over the last month. This is in comparison to 36 percent of female participants reporting the same.
Health Advocates Raise Alarm
Giannoula Koulla, the chairwoman of a prominent Cyprus association dedicated to liver patients and their supporters, has sounded an alarm over these findings. She emphasized the grave health risks associated with alcohol consumption, including the potential development of cancers in areas like the mouth, oesophagus, throat, colon, breast, and most notably, the liver.
In response to these worrisome trends, Koulla has urged the government to step up its efforts in educating the youth about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. She suggests the implementation of comprehensive information campaigns targeting schoolchildren of all ages to curb the onset of alcohol-related issues.
Policy Implications and Future Direction
The data points to an urgent need for policy intervention and community education in Cyprus. Strategies to mitigate alcohol accessibility to minors, coupled with effective learning programs about alcohol’s effects, could be pivotal in reshaping the current trends. While the survey provides a snapshot of alcohol use among Cypriot children, it also serves as a catalyst for a broader discussion on youth health and responsible drinking culture.
Quick Recap:
- Cypriot children have easy access to alcohol, with 87% reporting easy access, surpassing the European average.
- They consume less alcohol in volume but drink more frequently than their European peers.
- Boys tend to drink more heavily than girls.
- Health advocates are concerned about the associated health risks and are calling for educational campaigns and policy changes.
- The data highlights the need for policy intervention and community education in Cyprus to address the issue.
