Government wants liquor ads ban
Drinks firms could be liable for harm done by drunks
The Department of Health is seeking a ban on alcohol advertising in the controversial Liquor Amendment Bill now with the Cabinet. If Parliament passes the bill, alcohol advertising on radio and television will be banned from 6am to 10pm and the age limit for drinking will be raised from 18 to 21 years. Department of Trade and Industry director-general Lionel October confirmed on Friday that the bill had entered the cabinet process, but said it would take two-three weeks to finalise because the Department of Health was pushing for a total ban on all alcohol advertising. After finalisation by the cabinet subcommittee the bill will be submitted to the full Cabinet for approval. Alcohol-related health and crime incidents are understood to cost the government billions of rand every year with health costs alone estimated at 5% of total public-health spending. According to a report on a study for the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) by research consultants Genesis ...
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