We the Southern Africa Alcohol policy Alliance –SAAPA wish to categorically to state that now and in the future we cannot join and support the alcohol industry in their initiated international beer day scheduled to take place on the 5th of August, 2016.
We call on the governments, the WHO and UN to curb the alcohol industry as they seek to expand their markets in pursue of profits.
It is ironic that it follows the celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day – a day celebrating a World icon who dedicated his life to promoting virtues and values such as freedom, justice, equity, human dignity and protecting the next generation. The unilateral declaration of a day dedicated to a product that contributes to the global burden of disease and death in the pursue of increased profits for its shareholders at the expense of the public, in particular young people and children who is the prime target in the marketing strategy of the alcohol industry, violates international processes.
SAAPA is alive to the fact that globally, alcohol consumption causes 3.3 million deaths annually, that it is the 5th leading cause of disability in young persons aged 15 and 24years. Suffice to note that the alcohol industry is targeting Africa in its marketing strategies where alcohol consumption is increasing and mostly rights of children and the vulnerable population are not well-protected.
SAAPA hereby calls upon all individuals, institutions, the Civil Society Organizations, Religious and political leadership to disown and distance themselves from joining the self proclaimed initiative of celebrating the international beer day because it is a marketing strategy that will increase the risks and harms associated with alcohol consumption, particularly the Non-Communicable disease burden in the region and globally.
Therefore SAAPA reiterates that no industry should have the right to declare an international day for their products. To the contrary International days should be reserved for the betterment of humanity and not increasing profits for selfish gains.