National Liquor Traders Slam Alcohol Ad Ban In Liquor Amendment Bill

The National Liquor Traders Council has voiced strong opposition to the Liquor Amendment Bill, tabled in Parliament, which proposes banning the advertisement, promotion, and product placement of alcohol on all media platforms.

The Bill also directs the state to take steps to discourage the normalisation of drinking while aiming to reduce liquor-related harm through limited visibility and consumption.

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Council spokesperson Lucky Ntimane dismissed the Bill, stressing that its premise lacks factual backing.

“This remains a claim that cannot be backed by scientific research or let alone common sense. Because if you look at the proposal to ban the advertisement of alcohol, as it were, it’s something we believe is a shotgun approach.

“It doesn’t really address the bigger issue that we all should be faced with: the abuse of alcohol in our country, which is a big problem.”

‘Lazy Approach’ to Addressing Liquor Abuse

Ntimane acknowledged the need for solutions but insisted they should be based on evidence and mindful of economic impacts.

“We do admit, however, that you know, the approach needs to be rooted in science and it needs to also be able to safeguard the issues of livelihood. It’s a delicate balance that we need to strike. But banning alcohol (advertisement), it’s simply a lazy approach, something we totally reject.”

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