Over 30,000 information leaflets have been sent to all secondary schools in Malta and Gozo as part of the national information campaign to educate people on the harmful effects of underage drinking and the implications of the new law to regulate it.

The leaflets are intended to provide basic information to minors and their families, and to retailers, regarding the consequences of the new law. It is hoped that schools will also be able to use these leaflets to help further educate youngsters about the harm caused by consuming alcohol at a young age.

The leaflets form part of a current campaign to raise awareness on the issue that was launched by Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina on 29 March. A permanent focus group has been set up in the Family and social Solidarity Ministry and its first remit is specifically to run this six-month campaign.

Over the coming months, the group will be using several ways of ensuring that the public is reached in as many ways possible. In fact, Minister Cristina and members of the group have already had an opportunity to address all heads of government schools, at the invitation of the Education Ministry, in order to bring this campaign to the attention of the very people who are in charge of education.

Group members are also participating in television and radio programmes, billboards have been erected in Malta and Gozo and advertisements have been screened in all cinemas.

Members of the public can visit the MFSS website www.mfss. gov.mt or Agenzija Sedqa www.sedqa.gov.mt for more information. Copies of the leaflet, which is printed in Maltese and English, can be obtained by calling the ministry on tel. 2590-3100.