The Sedqa Agency, within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), has launched a booklet containing a range of mocktail recipes.
Mocktails are creative beverages that resemble alcoholic cocktails but contain no alcohol, intended to serve families, young people, and hospitality professionals, particularly during the festive season. The booklet aims to raise awareness of fresh and appealing alternatives that can be mixed and offered in any setting, without the risks associated with alcohol.
This is a somewhat different initiative that delivers a strong message: enjoyment and entertainment do not require drinking or abusing alcohol or drugs. Full details were given on Wednesday morning at the ITS Campus in Ħal Luqa.
Sedqa undertook this initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and responsible choices in social settings.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, commended Sedqa and ITS for this collaboration with a social purpose, encouraging communities in Malta and Gozo to prioritise their health and well-being and that of those around them. Alcohol abuse not only disrupts festivities but can lead to far more serious consequences for those affected.
Borg explained that, in Malta's commitment to sustainable and responsible entertainment and tourism, ITS's involvement ensures that this civic sense continues to grow within the hospitality sector, which should be able to offer such alternatives to both Maltese residents and tourists.
The Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights, Michael Falzon, praised Sedqa's ongoing work, noting how the agency has continued to develop its services in response to the evolving landscape of substance abuse, reflecting a public health-oriented perspective. He emphasised that alcohol and drug abuse are never solutions but the start of a path of further challenges that escalate over time. For this reason, raising awareness from a young age about the negative consequences of such habits remains essential.
The Chief Executive Officer of the FSWS, Alfred Grixti, praised Sedqa's role in this innovative initiative and in its continued educational outreach, which begins early in schools.
Sedqa and the FSWS expressed their gratitude to ITS and Farsons for their valuable collaboration. Their contribution was essential in producing a high-quality booklet that can be used both in the community and in the hospitality sector. Copies of the booklet will be available to the public through Sedqa's services.