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Friday, 19.04.2024, 07:35
Lithuanian healthmin, singer don't change opinion on alcohol after 5 km challenge
After a 5 km race challenge in Vingio Park in Vilnius on Saturday, ZAS
singer Linas Zareckas still had a
different opinion on alcohol consumption than Lithuania's Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga, informs LETA/BNS.
After defeating the Farmers and Greens Union's minister in the race,
Zareckas told journalists that healthy lifestyle had nothing to do with life
without sugar and alcohol, referring to the ruling party's initiatives to
restrict accessibility of alcohol and consumption of sugar.
"I work, have children, drink alcohol, eat sugar and I am in support
of the healthy lifestyle that does not harm you and those around you. So if you
want a beer or something sweet after a jog, please go ahead. Please do not make
us feel like patients, we know for ourselves what we eat, how we live, you have
real patients to treat, mister minister," said Zareckas.
The minister downplayed the defeat, saying that Zareckas did not run faster
because of drinking beer but because of more frequent runs and lower alcohol
intake.
"I believe Linas did not start drinking more to run better. I do not
think he proved something like that, quite the opposite – instead of drinking,
he started running more, thus proving in a way that health is not in alcohol,
it is in being active," Veryga told journalists after the run.
Zareckas had challenged the minister to race him in an effort to state his
doubts of health effects of drinking less alcohol or eating less sugar.
The jog involved more participants, namely, MPs, health enthusiasts and
runners.
The parliament has raised the alcohol buying age to 20 years starting 2018,
banning any type of alcohol advertisement, with the exception of names of
alcohol producers and brands. Alcohol selling hours have also been shortened.
Starting 2020, only weak alcohol of up to 7.5 percent will be allowed in all
mass events, with no alcohol allowed on beaches. Specialized alcohol stores are
also considered.
Furthermore, the government's action plan also includes evaluation of tax
instruments to cut sugar consumption. Veryga has urged producers to agree on
lower content of sugar, salt and saturated fats in their production.