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 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 …

‘The younger generation is our biggest concern. In the cases we have had to attend to relating to non-compliance, it was predominantly young people who were involved.’ The second Covid-19 wave has receded, prompting the unbanning of the sale of alcohol. There is scant data available showing exactly how the ban affected hospital emergency units …

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to spell out in his state of the nation address (Sona) what practical steps the government will take to ensure a “sustained reduction in alcohol-related harm” after the lockdown is lifted. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (Saapa SA) put the request to  Ramaphosa in a letter on Friday. …

Some of the permanent measures being considered by policymakers include raising the drinking age, and a total ban on advertising. The controversial lockdown ban on the sale of booze may have been lifted (for now), but it looks as if policymakers are now considering more permanent restrictions on the alcohol industry. Looking at data derived …

Alcohol sales for on-site and off-site consumption is now permitted from Mondays to Thursdays, and South Africans are making sure they don’t get caught thirsty again by stocking up. #NowThatAlcoholIsBack has been trending on social media platforms, with some citizens seen stocking up on liquor following the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales on Tuesday. …