WHILE recognising that the issues around alcohol are more a policing than regulatory problem, your editorial (SA’s drinking problem, October 13) recycles the disinformation used by prohibitionists in the pursuit of their agenda. World Health Organisation figures show that SA’s per capita consumption of alcohol is relatively moderate and at least 50% less than those that top the table. Regurgitating a "statistic" like "the cost to the economy of alcohol is estimated to be R245bn-R280bn", when even the Department of Trade and Industry’s published cost to government figure is R3.7bn, is to give an air of legitimacy to the most flagrant of thumb-sucks. The deadline for public comment is October 30 (not 20) and concerned citizens should engage with the department before its dirigiste minister wreaks any more havoc on the economy by legislating, when the real solution is the stringent application of existing regulations. Michael FridjhonVia e-mail
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