With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation ahead of the Easter weekend, speculation is rife as to what measures his administration will put in place to curb a possible increase in Covid-19 infections. Talks around Ramaphosa’s address began last week as the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) wrapped up discussions about how best …

The Covid-19 pandemic might have caused widespread devastation for South Africans from all walks of life but for Daniel Campbell (not his real name) the novel coronavirus presented him with the perfect opportunity to kick his excessive drinking habits. “I am ashamed to admit this but I would drink about five days a week and …

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.