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 …

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 …

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 …

Government has moved too far, too fast with the easing of alcohol restrictions. This is the view of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance. Aliance’s director, Maurice Smithers, speaks more on this. Courtesy #DStv403

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance has called on the government to do more to reduce alcohol-related harm in South Africa. Now to discuss this further we are joined via Zoom by Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA director Maurice Smithers.

Cape Town – Premier Alan Winde is facing a backlash following his comments made in the Western Cape Legislature in support of the alcohol ban being lifted. Winde said: “We shouldn’t have the alcohol ban or the lockdowns that last for a very long time.” Winde said: “There is a big worry that I have, …

The CEO of the Beer Association of South Africa Ms Patricia Pillay says 30 percent of the country’s local breweries have permanently closed since alcohol bans were implemented last year as part of the government’s COVID-19 control measures. Ms Pillay said the recent extension of adjusted the level three lockdown, which further prohibits the sale …