Legislation to ban advertising of booze is on the way

DRAFT legislation to ban alcohol advertising and sponsorship will be released for public comment shortly, says Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

Speaking at Parliament yesterday, Motsoaledi said “people are fighting us”, but the need for such legislation was not negotiable.

“We are telling youngsters: ‘Drink and you will be like the people (beautiful women and sports people of the adverts)’, and we are lying,” he said, adding that it was unacceptable for up to four alcohol adverts to be aired during a show on TV prime time when children were watching.

While details of the proposed law will emerge only once a bill is published for comment, it is expected to be simi- lar to the laws banning tobacco advertising. Motsoaledi said this ban had paid off – “South Africans smoke much less”.

The health department has taken over responsibility for the legislation from social development.

Last year, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini announced that “significant” restrictions on alcohol advertising would focus on location, time and space, while alcohol companies’ sponsorship would be banned outright.

Asked why it had taken a year before draft legislation was ready, Motsoaledi said it was important to create “hype” and understanding.

“When we want to change people’s lifestyle… we must raise the hype. People get angry,” said the minister, who is known for his healthy habits.