Pretoria – Government says the review of the legal drinking age is nothing new, and has been part of discussions since 2010.
The assertion was made in a statement by the office of the Deputy Minister of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Obed Bapela, after he was misrepresented in media reports.
“Deputy Minister Obed Bapela wishes to place on record that the review of the legal age to consume alcohol is not a new matter, and in fact has been part of government discussion since 2010.
“The Deputy Minister was merely accentuating the discussions that are in the public domain, and encouraged communities to make their comment at the discussion process currently undertaken by Social Development as part of the inter-ministerial consultation process,” said Bapela’s spokesperson Sifiso Ngcobo.
One of the key focus areas of government’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme of Action is the introduction of new legislation to ban alcohol advertising. To this end, the national Department of Health has developed a Draft Control of Marketing of Alcohol Beverages Bill.
The bill -- together with other measures such as reviewing the legal age to consume alcohol, the introduction of a zero tolerance for drinking and driving, and education campaigns against alcohol related harm in schools, amongst others -- plays an important role in combatting alcohol-related injury.
“In support of President Jacob Zuma’s call for urgent interventions to address alcohol and substance abuse, the Deputy Minister has initiated campaigns throughout the country to raise awareness, especially amongst the youth.
“The Deputy Minister urges youth and society at large to fully participate in discussions, as this is a democratic right of all citizens,” said Ngcobo. – SAnews.gov.za
