Is adjusting the alcohol drinking age to 21 a great idea?
You may need to be a little older for a cold one!
As President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Thursday evening (10 February), there obviously were so many expectations form different stakeholders in the country's economy.
One of those was the South African Policy Alliance (SAAPA) hoping the President would commit to a number of alcohol-related regulatory changes.
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The Liquor Amendment Bill approved by Cabinet for public comment in 2016 had significant recommendations in terms of reducing alcohol consumption.
Unfortunately, there has been little to no action in making these come to life.
According to the WHO’s 2019 data, South Africa’s drinking population consumes 28.9 litres of alcohol – per capita – a year, the fifth highest consumption rate in the world!
Guys, if that doesn't sound like a problem to you then that in itself truly is a problem.
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“What is needed, however, is permanent legislative change and not reactive temporary measures that don’t deal with social challenges effectively and consistently,” the civil society group said regarding lockdown alcohol regulations.
Some of the changes that SAAPA hopes will be made soon are:
- Increasing the drinking age to 21 years;
- The introduction of a 100-metre radius limitation of trade around educational and religious institutions;
- Banning of any alcohol sales and advertising on social and small media;
- The introduction of a new liability clause for alcohol sellers."
We back these laws!
Will they make a change to the drinking culture? Maybe it's a little too late...
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