Many young people – including those under the age of 18 – say they will party more in the future than they did before the pandemic.
It emerges in a new survey Opinion has done for Vinmonopolet.
Because even though young people have generally drunk less during the pandemic, the figures in the survey show that they will now make up for lost fasting and alcohol intake.
– Lots to catch up on
– I think more people, especially those who have just started studying, feel that they have a lot to catch up on.
That’s what Marie Steinsland (24) says, who was out enjoying the sun in Bergen on the second day of pissing with Christine Mosevold (23). The two have just finished their studies and therefore envisage that they themselves will step down at the party.
– The biggest miss for Simon Stenersen and Oda Tarheim has been meeting more friends out on the town. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen / TV 2
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Simon Stenersen (22) and Oda Tarheim (22) do not think they have partyed less during the pandemic, but in other ways.
– We have drunk more at home, wine for dinners and such, but I think people will party more when things return to normal, Tarheim says.
Worried about minors
In the age group 15-17 years, 43 percent of those surveyed say they will party more when the restrictions are lifted, than they did before the pandemic.
– When more minors than before say that they want to drink more alcohol, we become concerned, says director of communications and social responsibility at Vinmonopolet, Halvor Bing Lorentzen.
– Karoline Dale (24) and Anton Martin Ringe (22) believe that several people have changed their alcohol habits during the pandemic: – We have learned that it is also nice to be at home, in small groups. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen
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Vinmonopolet believes these are figures that there is reason to follow.
– For most of us, the relationship with alcohol is shaped when we are young, and the social mission of Vinmonopolet is to work to limit the damage alcohol can cause.
Most minors
– CONCERNED: The wine monopoly is taking preventive measures. Photo: Petter Sørum Johansen / TV 2
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The survey is nationwide and conducted in a sample of 1000 respondents in the age group 15-24 years.
Hege-Lill Hagen Asp, senior communications adviser at Vinmonopolet, is also concerned that the high figures largely apply to minors.
– We know that the younger you are when you start drinking, the greater the consequences can be, Asp says to TV 2.
This group longs the most
When 15-17 year olds say they plan to drink more alcohol, someone has to buy it for them.
In a new campaign, Vinmonopolet is now working to prevent long-term situations in the store.
Asp points out that one of the most important tasks of Vinmonopolet is to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol. Last year, the two buying situations stopped with suspicion of langing, every single day.
– But we can not capture everything. That is why we depend on help from society, says Asp.
– EXPECTING INCREASE: More young people answer that they will drink more after the pandemic. That worries Vinmonopolet. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2
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Now they want to focus on the co-responsibility you have if you buy drinks for a minor.
– We see that it is no longer parents who buy for their children, but rather friends and acquaintances who buy for younger siblings or friends. A lot because they found it difficult to say no, she says and comes up with an invitation:
– Then it is important to think that you are okay if you say no, considering the possible consequences.
– Jakob Birkeland (22) has drunk less alcohol during the pandemic. – It has not been the same since the nightclubs have been partially closed, he says. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen / TV 2
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– Susanne Njøtøy, Silja Husabø, Isak Øye Valland and Peder Martin Hope all miss being able to gather more of the gang for a party. – I have probably become better at saying no during the pandemic, Hope says. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen
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– Susanne Njøtøy and Silje Husabø both believe that they will drink less after the pandemic. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen
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– Be ready to move
The Oslo Police District says they are concerned that there will now be large gatherings of young people drinking and partying, as the relief comes.
– It’s about a number of things happening that are awkward under the influence of alcohol. We are talking about violence and in the worst case rapes, says police chief at Majorstuen police station, Johan Benitez.
– How has it been until now?
– We experience that it has been relatively calm. We believe that we are quite well equipped despite the fact that we are worried about the time ahead, says Benietz.
He points out that the police invest resources and provide manpower for large gatherings. At the same time, he makes an important appeal to parents with young people in the house:
– Let the dad’s and / or mum’s heart beat hard – and make sure that someone is ready to move out when the young person is at a party, in case something happens.
Enthusiasm for freedom
Chief physician at FHI Preben Aavitsland also believes that young people will drink more alcohol now that the restrictions have been eased.
– There is another enthusiasm for freedom when the restrictions end. Then probably young people want to have a party and you can understand that, he says.
Aavitsland still does not think this “enthusiasm” will last that long.
– We hope that after a period, the excitement will return to normal habits, also when it comes to alcohol use.
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