Tanga, 10th February 2023 - Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) and Tanga region education stakeholders have
collectively promote anti-drinking education for the under-age to curb alcohol-drinking tendencies among students
in the region.
SBL in collaboration with Maurus Ndunguru, Tanga region Secondary School Education Officer and Coordinator for
Civil Society Organizations and Development Officer for Tanga region, Naetwa Kilango, to sensitize secondary school
children on the adverse impacts of under-age drinking at Nguvumali secondary school.
SBL anti-drinking campaign, dubbed SMASHED, is an interactive theatre experience conducted in schools to educate
secondary school-going students about the side effects of alcohol consumption at a tender age, advising them to
refrain from consuming alcohol before maturity.
Tanzania is among African countries with early-age initiation to alcohol consumption.
A study conducted in 2019 in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions found the prevalence of alcohol consumption among
secondary school students aged 15 and above ranging from 12.9% among girls in Mwanza to 63.9% among boys in
Kilimanjaro. The prevalence of alcohol use among students aged 13-15 in Dar es Salaam was 5.6%.
The SMASHED program delivers key learnings on the negative effects of underage drinking to the youth and community.
The program combines drama presentations and students' engagement in a motivational learning environment to equip
them with facts, skills, and confidence to make responsible choices and develop responsible attitudes in
health-related matters.
Speaking at Nguvumali secondary school, Maurus Ndunguru said, “This campaign will improve students' awareness
on making the right choices in their lives, especially in the targeted schools which have several underage drinking
cases.”
John Wanyancha, SBL Corporate Director, said the program is implemented countrywide in phases, which began
in Dar es Salaam and now in the Tanga region. The program has reached over 15,000 students in the two regions.
“SMASHED gives important life lessons to students, which arms them with knowledge and information necessary to make
smart choices and safeguard their welfare as well as dreams”, Wanyancha added.
On the other hand, the Coordinator for Civil Society Organizations and Development Officer for the Tanga region,
Naetwa Kilango, commended SBL's efforts against underage alcohol consumption.
“We appreciate SBLs efforts in providing awareness on responsible drinking and underage alcohol consumption.
The SMASHED program brings tangible items that students must contextualize to safeguard their potential” she added.