SERENGETI BREWERIES, TANGA EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS PROMOTE ANTI-UNDERAGE DRINKING CAMPAIGN

Stage actors, mudrick Abdy (Left, sleeping) Halua Mkilindi (right) and David Sayi (far-right) dramatize adverse impacts of underage drinking before Nguvumali Secondary School students in Tanga region, as part of SMASHED campaign by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) to curb underage drinking. The event took place in Tanga recently.

Stage actors - Halua Mkilindi (right) and David Sayi (left) dramatize the adverse impacts of underage drinking before Nguvumali Secondary School students in Tanga region, as part of SMASHED campaign by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) to curb underage drinking.

Nguvumali Secondary School students in Tanga region enjoying a humorous stage-play presented by stage actors as part of SMASHED campaign by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) to curb underage drinking.

Education Officer for Tanga City, Maurus Nduguru (right) addresses students of Nguvumali Secondary School during a sensitization session, a part of SMASHED campaign by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) to curb underage drinking. Left is Ocheck Msuva, Bridge for Change Founder, Local NGO using stage-play to spread awareness to the youth.

Nguvumali Secondary School students in Tanga region attentively watching an educational stage-play presented by stage actors as part of SMASHED campaign by Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) to curb underage drinking.

Tanga, 10th February 2023 – Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) and Tanga region education stakeholders collectively promote anti-drinking education for the under-age to curb alcohol-drinking tendencies among students in the region.

SBL collaborated 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 the 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.

About SBL:

Incorporated in 1988 as Associated Breweries, SBL is the second-largest beer company in Tanzania, with its beer brands accounting for over 25% of the market by volume.
SBL has three operating plants in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Moshi.

Since the creation of SBL in 2002, the business has grown its portfolio of brands year after year. The majority stake acquisition by EABL/Diageo in 2010 has seen increased investment in international quality standards leading to greater job opportunities for the people of Tanzania.

SBL Brands have been receiving multiple international awards and include Serengeti Premium Lager, Serengeti Lite, Pilsner Lager, Guinness stout, and Guinness smooth. The company is also home to the world's renowned spirits such as Johnnie Walker Whisky, Smirnoff Vodka, Gordon's Gin, Captain Morgan Rum, Baileys Irish Cream, and locally produced brands such as Bongo Don – SBL’s maiden local spirit brand and Smirnoff orange.

For further information contact;

Rispa Hatibu
SBL Communications and Sustainability Manager
Tel: 0685260901
Email: Rispa.Hatibu@diageo.com