Among lamps, rebujitos and music in the booths, one of the surprises of the Malaga 2025 fair has not been in the concert program or in the attractions of the Cortijo de Torres. They have been six metal, discreet machines but with long lines in front: automatic alcoholic that, by one euro, allow anyone to know if it is in a position to take the car. The measure, designed as a road safety reinforcement, has ended up converted In a viral Tiktok challenge.
Of prevention to networks in networks. The system is simple: a currency is introduced, a disposable nozzle is facilitated and in seconds the alcohol level in exhaled air appears on the screen. If it is green, it can be driven; If it is red, better leave the keys in your pocket and opt for a taxi. The motto of the devices summarizes it: “A euro or a fine?”
But what was born as a awareness tool has become a show. “They go in a group and blow to see who gives more. Many drink from the cubata just before blowing and that makes the rate rise. I think it is because of the novelty,” explained Carlos Cecilia, creator of alcohol test, in statements to El País.
In Tiktok videos multiply: From those who celebrate 0.0 with a “I had to be the driver”, to those who reach figures of 0.88 mg/l, levels that already constitute a crime. “More glasses than Atlético de Madrid”, shared a user that hung the tests of his friends. The phenomenon, According to the southern voicehas spread to become a viral trend that combines party, technology and risk.
More than a hundred positive and two thousand assists. The other face of the fair, however, is less festive. According to the Balance of the City Council, collected by Europepressthe accident and crowded research group (GIAA) performed 2,352 breathalyzer and drug tests, with a result of 107 sanctioned positives, 16 criminal positives and 66 immobilized vehicles.
In addition, the municipal health device attended to about 2,000 people, of which half for alcohol abuses. There were 60 hospital transfers, ten of them for ethyl poisonings. The fair, which combines tradition, music and gastronomy, also leaves an emergency reguero linked to consumption every year.
The invisible face of the party. The viral challenges around the alcoholic are not harmless. Scientific evidence It is overwhelming: There is no level of alcohol consumption “without risk”. Even in small quantities, it is associated with cardiovascular problems, addiction and various types of cancer.
For its part, A study published in Neurology He showed that excess drinkers have 133% more risk of cerebral vascular lesions than abstemious, and 60% more even who drink moderately. In fact, alcohol remains the first cause of avoidable traffic accidents: 33% of deceased drivers I had blood alcohol.
A generation between two trends. The Malaga Fair reflects the contradiction of youth consumption. On the one hand, more and more young They say every day to day: Half of less than 30 claims to have reduced their consumption. Even at weddings, mocktails and alcoholless cocktails They gain groundwith couples who decide to eliminate alcohol from their celebrations.
On the other hand, consumption in binge It is still very present in parties and bottles. Almost half of adolescents from 14 to 18 acknowledges having participated in a bottle in the last year. The fair, like the patron saint festivities in general, becomes one of those spaces where sober trends dissolve and resurface intensive consumption patterns.
A mirror of alcohol culture in Spain. The history of the alcoholic of the Malaga Fair is, in fact, a mirror of the complex relationship of Spain with alcohol. On the one hand, a country that boast of wine traditionin which the celebrations are provided with cava, beer or liquor. On the other, a society in which consumption damage begins to make visible and in which young people explore alternative forms of alcohol without leisure.
This year the fair has made it clear that it will be remembered not only by music or fireworks. Also for those queues to blow in an breathalyzer: prevention turned into a show, and show turned into a trend.
Image | Tiktok
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