Dry January comes to Luxembourg
Vinicius "amnx" Amano, Unsplash
From 1 to 31 January 2026, Luxembourg residents will be able to take part in Dry January®, an international initiative calling for a voluntary pause in alcohol consumption. Officially organised for the first time in the Grand Duchy, the campaign is supported by the Ministry of Health, Fondation Cancer, CNAPA, Arcus ASBL, CTU Useldange and other organisations.
In contrast to prohibition, Dry January is a gentle, friendly invitation to rethink your habits and discover the benefits of living without alcohol, if only for one month. As Dr Claude Besenius, head of CTU's Centre for Therapeutic Care, emphasises, the aim is not to impose refusal, but to help everyone understand the place of alcohol in everyday life.
According to an OECD report published in 2023, 7% of all deaths in Luxembourg in 2019 were alcohol-related - that's about one every 30 hours. Alcohol ranks second among preventable risk factors for cancer, second only to smoking. In this context, even a temporary cessation can be an important step towards long-term change.
Studies show that giving up alcohol for a month:
- improves sleep and mood;
- increases concentration and energy levels;
- helps to purify the skin;
- reduces stress levels;
- strengthens your control over your own habits.
In addition, many Dry January participants report a reduction in alcohol consumption even months after the campaign has ended. According to Martine Deprez, Minister of Health and Social Protection, "even if a person is not ready to give up for good, this challenge can be the first step towards a sustained reduction in consumption".
