The Sense Group, which is supported by companies that produce and sell alcoholic beverages in Malta, is totally in favour of the proposed law that would make it illegal for those aged under 16 to procure, possess, or consume alcohol.

Ever since it was set up in October 1997, The Sense Group (TSG) has never missed an opportunity to educate and remind young people over 16 to refrain from binge drinking and to drink responsibly if they choose to drink. In line with this stance, TSG has taken various initiatives to promote the principle of moderate consumption of alcohol among adults.

TSG chief executive Joe Farrugia said: “As responsible companies, we firmly believe that the national information campaign to be promoted by an inter-ministerial permanent focus group led by Minister Dolores Cristina is a step in the right direction to create awareness that underage drinking should be curbed.”

Speaking to this newspaper, GRTU’s Philip Fenech also spoke in favour of the government’s initiative. Enforcing the law on sale of alcohol to underage people will deal with those young people who mill around on the streets drinking alcohol and giving a very bad impression of Malta to tourists. This new law, he said, will go a long way to remove these sights from our streets.