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On October 3, 2016 Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies introduced the National Liquor Amendment Bill of 2016, which proposed four new measures: raising the age at which alcohol may be consumed legally; making distributors and wholesalers civilly liable; restricting advertising and outlets; and strengthening regulation. 

He also referred to the high incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome in South Africa and the fact that 41.6% of all treated injuries in hospitals were associated with alcohol use. South Africans also show a high percentage of harmful binge drinking, he noted. Reasons for use and misuse of alcohol include peer pressure and a desire to fit in, poor home environs and boredom, ignorance of alcohol’s harms, and the relative cheapness of alcohol products and their ease of access.

High youth unemployment rates must be an exacerbating factor. And in our country, alcohol is easily purchased from bottle stores, supermarkets, bars and shebeens and other unlicensed liquor outlets, which outnumber licensed ones, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

So what do you think? Should the legal age should be raised? What else can we do to protect South Africa's youth against alcohol abuse? Send your comments to chatback@parent24.com.