No wonder there’s an alcohol problem in SA

Big players in this industry do not want any more regulations, wrties

As a nonsmoker, I cannot stand being in close proximity to cigarette smoke or a smoker. However, how many stabbings and murders have been caused because of smoking? There is empirical evidence – Covid pandemic case in point – that over consumption of alcohol does.

It’s pretty obvious that the big players in this industry do not want any more regulations as it will affect their enormous profits and government couldn’t care less because it would affect their revenue stream in taxes collected.

Every year, during the Christmas season – this year will be no different – we are told not to not drink and drive, or moderate our consumption. I shouldn’t mind betting that the majority of pedestrians and drivers killed during this time are because of alcohol.

I have said this before and will say it again. More emphasis should be placed upon nonalcoholic beers and wines. Go to any liquor store and you can barely move for the amount of alcohol stacked up. But try and find a nonalcoholic beer, and it’s like trying to find hens’ teeth.

Castle Free has not been available for weeks. The response from South African Breweries is that “there is a national shortage, we are working night and day to rectify”. Oh really? That was well over a month ago. Still no Castle Free.

Heineken is about the only alcohol-free beer freely available, but at a very high price, which many can’t afford.

Airlines advise little or no consumption of alcohol, but do they serve alcohol free-beers and wines? No.

The majority of restaurants do not offer an alternative to alcoholic beverages.

And people wonder why there is an alcohol problem is this country.