Overview
- The regional government published the draft 2026–2030 prevention plan and opened it for public consultation in mid‑October, formally treating in‑person gambling, online gambling and compulsive internet use as addictive behaviours.
- The plan sets measurable goals that include delaying the age of first use by at least half a year, cutting episodic intensive alcohol consumption by 20 percent and enrolling 80 percent of schools in prevention programs.
- It cites recent surveys showing 21 percent of Galician youths gambled in person in the past year, 13 percent gambled online and more than 15 percent show signs of compulsive internet use, while some adolescent substance indicators have improved but energy‑drink use and binge drinking remain concerns.
- Proposed measures aim to protect young and vulnerable people through coordinated action by health services, schools, families and municipalities, with training for professionals, updated prevention materials, mobile prevention units and tougher controls on sales and promotion to minors.
- Next steps include a public and stakeholder feedback period, revision of the draft, final approval and phased implementation through 2030 with strengthened monitoring systems to track outcomes and adjust programs.