Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544145
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 1 APRIL 2026 NEWS Caritas Malta, employers' bodies criticise cannabis authority sponsorship of children's football CARITAS Malta and several employers' associations have raised strong concerns over a recent agreement linking a chil- dren's football programme to the Authority for the Respon- sible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), warning it risks sending con- flicting messages to young peo- ple. In a statement, Caritas Mal- ta said it supports investment in sport as a means of promot- ing inclusion, opportunity and healthy development among children and youths. It described access to struc- tured activities such as football nurseries as "an important and noble social investment". However, the organisation expressed unease about the institutional framing of the agreement, arguing that the au- thority's name and mandate sit uneasily alongside initiatives targeting minors. "The concept of 'responsible use' in relation to cannabis cre- ates ambiguity in messaging, particularly when associated with initiatives involving chil- dren," Caritas said. It warned such framing could undermine prevention efforts, likening the situation to pro- moting road safety education under the banner of "responsi- ble over-speeding". "For young people, clarity in public messaging is essential to support informed and healthy choices," the organisation add- ed. Caritas also said the agree- ment risks overlooking the ex- periences of individuals and families affected by cannabis use. It pointed to ongoing con- cerns about weak enforcement of regulations, including pub- lic consumption and use in the presence of children, as well as the advertising of low-THC can- nabis products. The organisation urged stake- holders to exercise greater cau- tion when aligning public health messaging with youth initia- tives, stressing that prevention and the protection of vulnerable groups should remain a priority. Meanwhile, employers' associ- ations within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Devel- opment (MCESD) issued a sep- arate statement calling for the immediate withdrawal of the sponsorship. The associations — the Mal- ta Employers' Association, the Malta Chamber, the Malta Ho- tels and Restaurants Associa- tion, and the Malta Chamber of SMEs — described the decision as "a serious error of judge- ment". "Children's sport must repre- sent discipline, health, self-con- trol, ambition and clean living," they said. "It must never, under any circumstances, be linked to cannabis or to any authority as- sociated with its use." They argued associating youth sport with cannabis, directly or indirectly, risks normalising substances that should not be part of children's environments. "No social objective can justify blurring the line between youth development and substances that should never be normalised in the minds of children," the statement said. The employers' bodies also drew parallels with past efforts to remove tobacco and alcohol sponsorships from sport, saying the same principle should apply. "Cannabis is not a symbol of health, discipline or perfor- mance. Football is," they said. "The two should never be placed in the same space, especially where children are involved." They called for the sponsor- ship to be dismantled and re- placed by entities that reflect the values of youth sport and responsible social leadership. "Children deserve better. Par- ents deserve clarity. Sport de- serves to remain clean," the as- sociations said. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt (ARUC chairperson Joey Reno Vella (seated, left) with MFA General Secretary Maria Azzopardi at the press conference announcing the collaboration