The alcohol drinking problems in Slovenia are briefly described and the process of the first part of a long-term national alcohol drinking preventive population-based project called 'Message from the bottle', which has been run by the Department of Family Medicine of the Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, is explained. Its long-term aims are to reframe understanding of alcohol issues, to change the social climate on alcohol and to reduce alcohol-related harm. Different products have been prepared: postcards, brochures, posters for different kinds of exhibitions, an animated health-promotion film, a manual for primary healthcare physicians and workshops for physicians and nurses to learn about counselling for health behaviour change. In conclusion, future planned activities are described.