The National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) says South Africa needs a sustainable solution to curb rising youth substance abuse, but it should not involve banning alcohol advertising.
The remarks came after Deputy President Paul Mashatile raised concerns about substance abuse among youth.
He warned that it destroys young lives and fuels unemployment and crime.
NLTC opposes alcohol advertising ban
According to SABC News, NLTC convenor Lucky Ntimane criticised the proposed ban on alcohol advertising. Calling it a short-sighted response to substance abuse.
“We acknowledge that alcohol and drug abuse contribute to unemployment,” Ntimane said.
“But banning alcohol advertising will only worsen the crisis. Our economy is growing at less than one percent annually. 37 percent of black South Africans are unemployed, and three million graduates remain jobless. We need sustainable solutions that tackle substance abuse while also supporting job creation,” he added.
Liquor Amendment Bill targets alcohol advertising
Parliament recently tabled the Liquor Amendment Bill, which seeks to ban the advertisement, promotion, and product placement of alcohol across all media platforms.
The Bill also requires the state to counter the normalisation of alcohol use and reduce liquor-related harm by limiting its visibility and consumption.
Introducing the Bill in the National Assembly, EFF MP Veronica Mente-Nkuna said the legislation seeks to tackle South Africa’s worsening public health crisis linked to alcohol abuse.
“We live in a society where alcohol has been normalised and marketed as a lifestyle aspiration. Bright and attractive adverts target even young children, who grow up associating alcohol with success, sport and leisure,” she said.
EFF drives the push
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have tabled the Bill as a private member’s proposal, arguing that liquor advertising glamorises drinking culture while hiding its societal costs.
These include gender-based violence, road fatalities, family breakdowns, and the strain on public healthcare systems.
