On September 21, 2020, Carlsberg Azerbaijan, largest beer producer in country, in cooperation with the non-governmental organization UAFA organized an online press-conference on the results of a study examining the impact of the "toxic trio" on youth. The "toxic trio", a relatively recent concept in sociology, which describes the connection between domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health problems. The purpose of the study is to explore the scale of the "toxic trio" on the youth of Azerbaijan and draw public attention to the components of the "toxic trio", which in the long term may affect the physical and psychological health of the country's population if social policy does not take these issues into account.

Carlsberg Azerbaijan, which is a part of the Carlsberg Group, taking part in this study was especially interested to study the impact of irresponsible alcohol consumption on the country's youth and understand the scale of the problem. The results of the study showed that 33% of respondents only occasionally come across people with alcohol dependence, 8% - come in contact regularly with them, and 10% of respondents have never met people with alcohol dependence.  Whilst we must recognize that people may not truthfully report on such personal issues, these results do confirm that alcohol dependency is not a significant problem in Azerbaijan

Lala Afandi, Head of Corporate Affairs Department of Carlsberg Azerbaijan: “Responsible consumption of alcohol is extremely important for our company, and we are doing our best to promote the Responsible Drinking concept in all markets that Carlsberg Group operates. It is no coincidence that ZERO Irresponsible Drinking is one of the four ambitions under the sustainable development program of the Carlsberg Group Together Towards ZERO, along with ZERO Carbon Footprint, ZERO Water Waste and ZERO accidents. Every year in mid-September, the largest beer producers around the world celebrate Global Beer Responsibility Day, which aims to draw public attention to the problems of alcohol abuse. Despite the extremely low statistics of alcoholism in the country, we will continue to work towards promoting responsible consumption in Azerbaijan”.

Much more serious outcomes from the research turned out to be problems with gender stereotypes. They lead to excessive pressure from society on men, who are regarded by society as the main “breadwinner” in the family. So, 76% of respondents perceive the provision of financial earnings to family as a key task in life, 56% believe that men are more susceptible to social pressure and only 7% find time to participate in raising children together with their spouse, in addition to providing financial earnings. This exacerbates mental health problems among young people and significantly increases the incidence of depression among young people. The study showed that 46% of respondents are not familiar with the concept of mental health and almost 79% do not know where it is possible to ask for assistance in case of psychological discomfort.

My concern as a Social Policies Advisor is to analyze growing trends in society and address them through policies and services before they overwhelm society.  This research highlighted the pressure that young men are facing due to the socio-economic transition from communism to market economy.  Young men need support, access to social services and greater awareness about the positive role they can play in raising their children.  I hope that this research paper will play a role in influencing youth policies in the nearest future. 

Head of UAFA organization, Gwen Burchell MBE: «My concern as a Social Policies Advisor is to analyze growing trends in society and address them through policies and services before they overwhelm society.  This research highlighted the pressure that young men are facing due to the socio-economic transition from communism to market economy.  Young men need support, access to social services and greater awareness about the positive role they can play in raising their children.  I hope that this research paper will play a role in influencing youth policies in the nearest future».

***

The Carlsberg Azerbaijan brewery is located in the city of Khirdalan, 10 kilometers from the capital of Azerbaijan. The production capacity of the plant is 8 million decaliters per year. 260 people work in the company and about 400 people work indirectly (distributors, agencies, contractors). The company's total investment in the development of the plant is about 50 million AZN. The annual amount of tax payments to the company's budget is about 18-20 million AZN. The company's portfolio includes such popular brands as Xırdalan, Tuborg, Baltika, Kuler, Əfsanə, Carlsberg, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc, Seth & Riley's Garage, etc.