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.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Switzerland faces income losses from US tariffs, says ETH Zurich
This content was published on
Compared to Germany and France, Switzerland would face “significantly higher losses,” says ETH Zurich’s Centre for Economic Research (KOF).
Christian Oppliger named new head of the Swiss Air Force
This content was published on
Christian Oppliger has been named the new head of the Swiss Air Force, starting on October 1. He succeeds Peter Merz, who will become CEO of Skyguide.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF6 million for earthquake victims in Myanmar and Thailand
This content was published on
The earthquake in March caused severe destruction, especially in Myanmar, where the humanitarian situation is already dire, according to Swiss Solidarity.
This content was published on
On Wednesday, the Swiss government named Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger to the role, amid the ongoing trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump.
Switzerland to cut UN development aid by CHF13 million
This content was published on
The reduction in contributions is due to the cuts to the 2025 budget for international cooperation, which were decided by Parliament last December.
Swiss parliamentary committee seeks extra billion for army ammunition
This content was published on
A committee of the Swiss House of Representatives wants to swiftly acquire ammunition for its ground-based air defence and other systems.
Nestlé Waters scandal: Élysée Palace ‘knew of misconduct’
This content was published on
An inquiry revealed that the French presidency granted Swiss company Nestlé Waters access to ministries despite knowing about their misconduct.
This content was published on
The Swiss are participating in an open test of the new electronic identity card. This will eventually lead to a state-recognised e-ID.
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.