The Swiss bought and drank less alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the average person cutting back by 2.6 standard drinks a month. This corresponds to a 7.7% decrease in alcohol consumption among the general population.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Español
es
Los suizos bebieron menos alcohol durante la pandemia
The trend applied to both men and women, and a 17% decrease in binge drinking was also seen, the Addiction Switzerland foundation said in a statementExternal link on Thursday. Limits put on private meetings, the closure of bars and restaurants and lower incomes would explain these figures, it said.
However, it noted “a polarisation of behaviour in the risk groups”. In these categories, some people have reduced their consumption, while others have drunk more.
At home, 16% of respondents reduced their alcohol consumption, while 17% drank a little or a lot more. The reasons given for this increase were pleasure in drinking, increased leisure time, stress, boredom or self-medication.
People under 44 increased their consumption, while older people limited it, citing the scarcity of social time due to the pandemic and the need to take care of their health.
More
More
Addictions on the rise during the pandemic
This content was published on
The current Covid pandemic in Switzerland has increased the risk of addiction, according to a new report.
Among 15- to 24-year-olds the number of abstainers increased, but those who drank alcohol drank more of it. Addiction Switzerland puts this down to age-related initiation rituals in alcohol consumption.
Overall, the population bought slightly less alcohol during the pandemic – at home and abroad. On the other hand, according to the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security, alcohol imports into Switzerland increased by just over 157,000hl (4.1 million gallons) of pure alcohol in 2020 compared with 2019, an increase of almost 30%.
In a representative survey, some 2,000 people aged 15 and over were asked in the summer of 2021 about their alcohol consumption and purchases. The analysis compared the 12-month period before the introduction of the Covid measures in mid-March 2020 and the 12-month period afterwards.
More
More
Binge-drinking and psychological stress up among young Swiss
This content was published on
Young people in Switzerland are generally satisfied with their lives. However, their habits have changed over the past ten years.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.