Plan to tighten up on liquor adverts‚ sponsorship and age limit

Business and people 20 years and younger may have something to drink in – the department of trade and industry is proposing that the age limit for liquor consumption should be changed from 18 to 21 years.

The department said on Friday it was also proposing restrictions on liquor advertising and prohibiting sponsorship by companies and others in the alcohol business.

Alcohol abuse was prevalent in South Africa and had serious socio-economic consequences‚ it said.

The department will host a seminar‚ to which representatives of the liquor industry‚ survivors of liquor abuse and alcoholics‚ academics‚ researchers‚ non-profit organisations‚ people working in the health and social development environment and others are invited‚ to discuss ways of combating liquor abuse. The event will take place on July 29.