The interest in preventive measures of self-destructing behaviours is increasing considerably. However, it seems hardly possible to apply the traditional public-health model to the prevention of alcohol problems because this is influenced too much by clinical thinking. When trying to prevent alcohol-related disabilities, one has in fact to establish behaviourial standards. Preventive measures will yield success only if compulsive and persuasive strategies are combined. The Swiss institute for the prevention of alcohol problems tries to adapt its activities (research, media department, education department, alcohol policy) to the necessaries of a comprehensive concept of prevention.