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HomeHarm ReductionAlcohol industry – R150 million boost for harm reduction initiatives

Alcohol industry – R150 million boost for harm reduction initiatives

Alcohol industry players in South Africa have pledged R150 million for harm reduction initiatives over the next year. While the alcohol ban turned out to be unnecessary, was flagrantly flouted and hit the economy, the debate it sparked might at least lead to greater efforts to tackle the causes and ameliorate the health impacts of alcohol abuse.

BusinessTech reported on 21 August that the alcohol industry would focus on upscaling existing programmes while also finding new, innovative measures to deal with key areas of concern including drunk driving, abuse and under-age drinking, according to industry spokesperson, and corporate relations director at Diageo, Sibani Mngadi.

Mngadi called on traders and consumers to abide by all new lockdown rules and to make sure that their drinking occasions do not contribute to the spread of infections and unnecessary burden on the health system.

“We have a collective responsibility to protect our livelihoods as various players in the alcohol value chain. Consumers equally have a responsibility to behave appropriately and not expose themselves and others to unnecessary harm and potential infections.”

Mngadi outlined some of the key measures that the industry is looking to introduce, according to BusinessTech.

Drinking and driving/walking

Mngadi said that the industry will support legislative and enforcement measures to reduce drinking and driving/walking by capacitating law enforcement with resources to effectively enforce it, and by partnering with retailers regarding interventions in high-risk areas.

“Alcohol evidence centres that will have the capacity to process breath alcohol testing and immediately make available results for prosecution purposes is one of the measures to be put in place.

“In addition, the industry, working with retail partners particularly taverns, will also introduce a patrol/buddy system to walk home intoxicated customers in order to curb drinking and walking incidents,” he said.

Underage drinking

The industry is in discussion with the retail sector to explore the implementation of an ID verification system in all retail outlets (on-and off-consumption), as well as the extension of the underage drinking education programme, Mngadi said, as reported by BusinessTech.

“This programme was developed for engagement in school environments using digital platforms so that information can be disseminated to community-based youth organisations.”

Gender-based violence and femicide

Mngadi said that the industry is partnering with the government and civil society in addressing the issue of gender-based violence and femicide.

“One of the industry members, SAB, has launched a Gender-Based Violence WhatsApp helpline. “This is a safe reporting platform for anyone who is a victim of GBV, providing for referral to a counselling support service.”

Mngadi said that dialogues with tavern owners are also currently underway to explore the best measures and the role that outlet owners can play in an effort to curb gender-based violence, BusinessTech reports.

“This process will be used to facilitate  dialogue with government on how the industry can provide support with the implementation of the national strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide,” he said.

Binge drinking

The industry will ramp up its consumer education campaigns on binge drinking, which will include responsible messaging as well as defining drinking guidelines to influence behaviour.

“Various brands have introduced reduced alcohol products and 0% alcohol products to encourage responsible drinking habits,” Mngadi said.

Stricter tests

Prior to South Africa moving to lockdown level 2, Professor Charles Parry of the South African Medical Research Council said that larger container sizes are linked to heavy drinking. He proposed a limit on the sale of beer and ciders to 500 ml bottles, while wine and spirits should be limited to 750 ml.

Parry said government could  impose restrictions on the sale of single units as opposed to multiple cases of liquor which would prevent people from buying in bulk and then reselling.

Government could look at further restrictions around the transportation of alcohol in bulk quantities. It could also further restrict rules around drunk driving, with suggestions of a new limit of .02 per 100 ml of blood, according to BusinessTech. Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has proposed new drunk driving rules, but no implementation date has been set.

The new proposal will see a total prohibition around the use and consumption of alcohol by all motor vehicle operators on South African public roads. Aligning with this point, Parry said that the SAPS could also introduce more stringent tests for alcohol levels after vehicle accidents.

Drunk driving data

Research conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the South African Medical Research Counciland UNISA, showed that alcohol was involved in more than one in every four (27.1%) fatal car accidents between 2016 and 2018, at a cost of R18.2 billion.

“We estimate alcohol to be implicated in at least 27.1% of all fatal crashes involving driver error of any type,” the researchers said, according to BusinessTech.

They found more than 13,074 of the 33,659 fatal crashes during this period had “known driver risk factors”. This was 38.8% of the total fatal crashes. The data showed that pedestrians are three times as likely to die in crashes where the driver was intoxicated.

 

[link url="https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/427504/proposed-changes-around-the-sale-of-alcohol-in-south-africa-including-a-new-id-system/"]Proposed changes around the sale of alcohol in South Africa – including a new ID system[/link]

 

Proposed changes around the sale of alcohol in South Africa – including a new ID system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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