The issue of permissible driver blood alcohol concentration (BAC) came in for special attention during the first day of the Portfolio Committee on Transport’s public hearings into the National Road Traffic Amendment (NRTA) Bill. A number of organisations made oral submissions on the bill, including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the …

Non-profit group Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) has thrown its support behind the government’s proposed drunk driving rules, but has warned that the regulations will need to be adapted to avoid wrongful convictions. The changes are included as part of amendments to the National Road Traffic Act which are currently being debated in parliament. …

Just days after the unbanning of alcohol and easing of the curfew, paramedics have had their hands full with trauma cases resulting from car accidents. Best Care ambulance spokesperson Xander Loubser said motorists needed to be responsible. “I want to remind the public that Covid-19 still exists. “It seems like there are people who are …

The phrase ‘throats are open’ may well be true now for many South Africans, following the easing of alcohol sale restrictions under lockdown level 1. However, advocates of alcohol policy reforms say the elephant in the room – the country’s binge-drinking problem – is still being ignored. This, they say, constitutes a missed opportunity by …

Cape Town – There have been mixed reactions to the easing of restrictions on the sale and trade of alcohol under the return to alert Level 1 regulations. Alcohol can now be sold according to normal liquor licence provisions, except during the new curfew hours of midnight to 4am. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance SA (SAAPA SA) has noted the decision by Cabinet to move the country from Level 3 to Level 1 and to allow all liquor outlets to operate as normal, subject only to the curfew and the ongoing prohibition on the opening of nightclubs.  This effectively means that we have …

The alliance is questioning whether allowing alcohol sales to resume as normal is wise with several public holidays coming up. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance has reacted to the latest easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, warning government may have moved too quickly. The alliance is on Monday questioning whether allowing alcohol sales to resume …

Policy group SAAPA SA has called on Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to significantly increase the excise tax on alcohol when he outlines the annual Budget. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa (SAAPA SA) says Treasury needs to hike the excise tax on alcohol to discourage excessive consumption and raise funds for public …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance calls on Treasury to use the Budget speech to announce a significant increase in the excise tax on alcohol to discourage excessive consumption and raise funds for public health promotion. Each year in February, the minister of finance delivers the annual Budget speech, which outlines how Treasury will raise …

Wat is die effek van alkoholmisbruik en wat is die oplossings? In die ateljee om hieroor te gesels is advokaat Mias Schreuder, die regsverteenwoordiger van ‘n klomp wynplase wat die regering hof toe gevat het oor die alkolholverbod. Maurice Smithers, direkteur van die Southern African Alcohol policy Alliance of te wel, Saapa, sluit via Skype …