Liquor traders urged to trade responsibly
Causal link between drug/alcohol abuse and crime worrying.
The National Liquor Authority (NLA) has expressed concern at the recently released national crime statistics and is calling on liquor traders to trade responsibly and for consumers to reduce their level of alcohol consumption.
The NLA is an entity within the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) responsible for regulating macro manufacturers and distributors of liquor.
At the release of the crime statistics this week, Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said the causal link between drug/alcohol abuse and crime must be addressed through a multi-disciplinary approach by state agencies, in order to reduce violence.
The Minister also pointed out that the causal link between drug and alcohol abuse continued to drive up violent crimes. Regulators must work together to enhance the impact of their interventions in this regard, said the NLA on Wednesday.
“SAPS confiscated 1.7 bilion litres of illegal alcohol during the 2014/15 financial year and closed down just over 37 900 unlicensed liquor outlets. These statistics support the concerns that the dti raised about illegal liquor trading and the scourge of alcohol abuse,” the NLA said.
The dti proposed that producers and manufacturers should also be held liable for liquor products found in illegal outlets in addition to closing down these outlets, and the NLA supports this proposal.
Liquor products found in illegal operations are branded, and can be traced back to their producers of suppliers and the issue of liability was debated extensively during the public consultation process on the Draft Liquor Policy Review Document published by the dti on 20 May 2015.
“The increasing socio-economic harm that comes with liquor trade prompted the dti to embark on this review of the National Liquor Policy improve effectiveness in liquor regulation. After considering comments submitted, the revised policy will be processed to the National Liquor Policy Council, and then to Cabinet for adoption in due course by the dti.
The recommendations contained in the draft policy aim to reduce availability, reduce social harm, and advance transformation in the liquor industry.
“We need to balance trade of liquor with the socio-economic harm that comes with this harmful substance, and ensure that traders are monitored properly to prevent the social ills. The National Liquor Authority will enhance inspections in communities to identify illegal traders, and ensure they are closed, in cooperation with the South African Police Service,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za
