No nips for nippers and Fools dance: An alcohol prevention campaign in Cologne, Germany Cities for Children, Rijeka, 04. – 05.03.09 Monika Baars, City.

“No nips for nippers” and “Fools dance”:An alcohol prevention campaign

in Cologne, GermanyCities for Children, Rijeka, 04. – 05.03.09

Monika Baars, City of Cologne

Karneval: Cologne‘s carnival (carnis=meat, levare= to deprive) is a very old, merry and popular festival that initiates Lent. For the

majority of Cologne‘s citizens, dressing up and being merry is a must during the six days of carnival. Nevertheless, increased

alcohol consumption is also a fixed part of carnival for most adults. Further to “content“

The five interlocking elements of the alcohol prevention campaign are:

• The round table

• Raising public awareness

• Restricting the sale of alcohol to minors

• Cultivating carnival’s traditions

• Advice and assistance during and after carnival (street work)

• Lastly, the results

On Women’s Carnival Day, approximately 50,000 young people celebrate carnival in Cologne. They come from the city of Cologne, as well as from neighbouring municipalities. Cologne’s alcohol prevention campaign was initiated in 1999. In the same year, the city`s administration ordered an elaborate concept aimed at reducing alcohol abuse during the carnival festivities.

“No nips for nippers” – fighting together against child and youth alcohol consumption and “Fool’s dance” –

have been the slogans since 1999.

The declared goal was and continues to be a considerable reduction in the number of

highly inebriated young persons.

Round TableMeeting twice a year

The Office of Children, Youth and Family invites representatives of the Offices for Health and Education, the City Department of Public Order, the Office for Pulic Relations, the Festive Committee of the Cologne Carnival, the charitable institution „Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband“, the higher communal association „Landschaftsverband Rheinland“, the police, the Emergency Medical Services, the specialised unit on addiction prevention and the drug counselling services to participate in a great round table meeting which is aimed at coordinating the action plannning and reflecting on the schemes.

On one hand, the slogan „no nips for nippers“ is

directed towards the general public.

• 230 city posters are visible on main streets and at intersections during carnival.

• 800 small posters in public transport

• 14,000 postcards in 280 trendy bars

• 1,000 leaflets are handed out to bars, restaurants and retailers in the city centre.

• All: twice a year

• The mayor of Cologne hosts a press conference and the media regularly gives detailed reports about the alcohol problem and our campaign.

“Fool’s day” was the first youth party during carnival in 1999. It is a well known and very large open-air party for young people, promoting

the message: Don’t drink alcohol. If you drink, then just a little.

It celebrated on the most visited day of carnival • Central and prominent location• Entrance is free and the party lasts from 1 p.m. to 7

p.m.• Both famous carnival music bands from Cologne and

youth bands appear on stage.• Alcohol is not sold and alcohol consumption is not

permitted in the V.I.P. area.• Different schools and youth facilities organise their

own parties and carnival projects.

Results

• The public, teachers and social workers are more aware of the existing alcohol problem. Schools take care to ensure that their pupils do not leave school before noon on the most visited day of carnival.

• Bars and restaurants are more careful regarding the sale of alcohol to youth.

• The cooperation between round table partners is well on track.

• The campaign is taken up by neighbouring municipalities.

• It is supported by highly committed individuals.

• The campaign has been supported by highly committed individuals since 1999.

• In spite of all efforts, young people are able to buy alcohol in the supermarket (district) or send people older than 18 years to do this for them.

• There is a large number of adults and young people in the city who drink a lot. This presents a large hurdle in changing the image of carnival.

Thank you for your attention.