Author and former SF member of parliament Özlem Cekic has urged Danes, companies and public authorities to stop giving alcohol as gifts, suggesting books, flowers or chocolate instead.
Cekic published a post titled “Stop med at give alkohol som gave” on her social media channels several days ago. DR reported on September 25 that she expanded on the appeal on the radio program P1 Morgen the same day.
Cekic, who is now general secretary of the association Brobyggerne, said individuals do not need to bring wine to a dinner. Public authorities and companies should drop alcohol as a gift altogether, she said. As alternatives, she pointed to books, flowers, chocolate or a hug.
According to Cekic, reaching for a bottle is an automatic reaction, just as drinking is often automatic in social settings. Reconsidering the wine gift is a way of training yourself so that alcohol does not take such a central place, she said. Her post on Facebook, Instagram and X has received more than 3,000 comments.
The DR article cites a new Voxmeter survey for Alkohol & Samfund, in which more than one in three respondents said they had experienced social, psychological or physical consequences of an acquaintance’s drinking. The Danish Health Authority estimates that around half a million Danes have a moderate to severe alcohol problem.
B.T. editor pushes back
Among the commenters is Joachim B. Olsen, debate editor at B.T., who does not see a need for a reckoning with wine gifts. Writing on X, he said alcohol is part of Danish culture because the great majority are able to enjoy it responsibly.
Olsen told P1 Morgen that gift givers should generally consider whether the recipient actually wants the gift. He added that it would be regrettable if the lowest common denominator dictated how the majority live. He acknowledged that some people develop problems with alcohol, but said freedom also brings responsibility.
Olsen compared the appeal to kicking in an open door, noting that a cultural change has already taken place. He referred to figures from Alkohol & Samfund showing that alcohol sales have generally fallen since the 1980s. Drinking habits, including at workplaces, were very different then, he said.
Cekic points to other numbers suggesting more is needed. She cited the Danish Health Authority’s 2025 statement that Danish young people still drink the most in Europe, and a Voxmeter survey for Blå Kors in which 63 percent of Danes said they experience an expectation to drink in social settings. Among 18 to 34 year olds, the share was almost 75 percent.
Cekic stressed that she is not calling for a ban or a larger intervention in personal freedom, but for individuals, workplaces and public authorities to look inward. The newspaper Information backed dropping the wine gift, arguing that such gifts help sustain an unhealthy Danish drinking culture.
Olsen said the focus should be on those who have problems with alcohol, rather than on the majority who do not. The full exchange is available on DR Lyd.
