Luc Marchal, president of the Horeca Wallonia federation, recently appeared as a guest on the program “It’s not every day on Sunday”. During his interview, he discussed the proposal of offering carafes of water in restaurants in the future, a proposal he does not necessarily support.
Fifteen years following proposing the idea, federal and regional ministers in Belgium have agreed on a plan to limit excessive alcohol consumption, especially among young people. However, many specialists have deemed the measures taken so far as too “light”. In an attempt to guarantee more safety and prevent the risk of accidents due to alcohol, a proposition emerges: Should the carafe of water be made compulsory in restaurants and bars? This is one of the ideas proposed by the Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke.
During the interview, Marchal expressed his reluctance towards adopting this measure. He explained that offering water free of charge came at a significant cost to restaurateurs and argued that alternatives should be offered instead.
Several political personalities were also invited to express their opinions on this idea of a free water carafe. Surprisingly, the parties present generally agreed on the fact of granting this water free of charge. Even the PS, PTB, and the CD&V parties agreed on this measure, with each suggesting slight modifications. It was noted that the standards for the withdrawal of the driving license will change to less or even no longer allow driving following having consumed any amount of alcohol.
Luc Marchal, president of the Horeca Wallonia federation, was the guest of the program “It’s not every day on Sunday”. The opportunity for him to come and express himself regarding the idea of offering a carafe of water in restaurants in the future. Luc Marchal does not necessarily see the proposal with a good eye.
Fifteen years following putting forward the idea, the federal and regional ministers agreed this week on a plan to fight together once morest the harmful consumption of alcohol in Belgium. With this alcohol plan that is taking shape, the goal is to limit excessive alcohol consumption, especially among young people. However, the measures that have been taken so far are considered too “light” for many specialists. An example ? Today, the rate of drunk driving has not decreased. It is always possible to have two or three glasses in the blood (except for new drivers). Something that is not the case in the Nordic countries.
In an attempt to guarantee more safety and prevent the risk of accidents due to alcohol, a proposition emerges: Should the carafe of water be made compulsory in restaurants and bars? This is one of the ideas proposed by the Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke.
Guest of Christophe Deborsu, the president of the Horeca Wallonia federation, Luc Marchal, expressed his reluctance to adopt this measure. “One does not object through everything with the jug of water. We object to the fact that we do not offer alternatives“. He also reminds us that, for a restaurateur, water comes at a significant cost.”It does not look, but water, no matter what, is a big turnover“, he explains.
At the policy level, we agree
Also around the table, several political personalities were invited to express themselves on this idea of a free water carafe. And something quite rare, the parties present all relatively agree on the fact of granting this water free of charge. Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo), Deputy Prime Minister for Mobility, says to himself “Resolutely for“. He explains : “Alcohol is a public health and road safety problem, especially at parties. We must provide free water because it is also a way to avoid too high alcohol content“.
It also specifies that the standards for the withdrawal of the driving license will change in order to less, or even no longer, allow driving while having consumed any amount of alcohol. Finally, the PS, PTB and the CD&V generally agree on this measure, but each would make slight modifications.
As the debate on free water carafes in restaurants and bars continues, it seems that politicians are mostly in favor of the idea. With excessive alcohol consumption remaining a major public health issue in Belgium, providing free water is seen as a way to prevent the negative consequences of drinking. While some in the hospitality industry are hesitant due to the cost implications, it’s clear that the need for measures to combat drinking and driving is widely recognized. As the country’s alcohol plan continues to take shape, we can expect to see further discussions on this and other measures to promote responsible alcohol use.