This research aims to understand how basic education teachers perceive factors that protect against alcohol consumption. An exploratory qualitative methodological approach is adopted. Semi-structured interviews and non-structured observation techniques are applied to a sample of 25 teachers. Content analysis of data gave rise to three thematic categories: the Meaning of Alcohol/Alcoholism; The School as an Area of Protection against Alcohol Consumption; the Teacher as a Protective Agent. The first one is interpreted as a harmful substance and a sociocultural problem situation. Protection is linked up with informing, communicating, educating or caring. Thus, the way teachers see their function ranges from guide to adviser or protector. Most teachers do not feel prepared for it, on the basis of psychopedagogical deficits, integral health knowledge, the legal framework and, mainly, their own prejudices on alcoholism.
health promotion; alcoholism; preschool