LEGAL DRINKING AGE TO BE CHANGED TO 21

If government gets its way, the legal age of drinking will be raised from 18 to 21. This won’t be the only drastic change made to the local liquor industry if the Liquor Amendment Bill is passed.

The bill was first introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2016.

Some of the changes suggested include imposing a 100-meter radius restriction on alcohol sales around educational and religious institutions, banning alcohol sales and advertising on social and small media, as well as introducing a liability clause for alcohol sales.

This could have a massive impact on the alcohol industry as a whole, with many stakeholders and role-payers commenting on the matter.

According to the Bill, the measures were designed to address the growing concerns around alcohol-related harm in the country.

This was echoed by President Cyril Ramaphosa when he banned the sale, handling or distribution of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DG Murray Trust compiled a report recently stating that most countries maintain the drinking age at 18. If the new legal age of alcohol consumption is approved, it could lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and alcohol-related traffic injuries and fatalities.

The Department of Social Development has shown its support for the proposed changes and the passing of the bill.

Image credit: The South African