Proposal to change legal drinking age in SA to over 21
What do you think would be the ideal legal drinking age in South Africa?
East London-based non-profit organisation Gatekeepers South Africa has proposed a new legal drinking age of between 21 and 23 for the country.
This is a three- to five-year increase from the current legal drinking age of 18.
The organisation has reportedly written a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa proposing the increase in the legal drinking age.
Overall, the organisation is also calling for stricter rules and regulations around alcohol, including a ban on alcohol advertising.
READ: This is the country with the best manners in the world
"A good few years ago, legislation was brought in to stop the advertising of cigarettes because it was harmful to our lungs," said Lizelle Maurice, a member of Gatekeepers South Africa.
"The abuse of alcohol has far worse repercussions than cigarettes."
Maurice pointed out that alcohol is one of the main driving forces behind many of the country’s social issues, including drunk driving, gender-based violence, femicide, and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
According to the DG Murray Trust's (DGMT) Rethink Your Drink campaign, South Africans are among the world's heaviest drinkers.
South Africans consume an average of around 33.5 grams of pure alcohol per day, which is 6.5 grams more than the global average of 27 grams.
READ: Shocking amount South Africans spent on alcohol in December
Although alcohol sales contribute about 3% to South Africa’s GDP, the overall harm to the economy is far greater.
"A 2014 study estimated the total social and economic cost of harmful alcohol use at R277-billion annually," said the DGMT.
"Adjusted for inflation, this figure rises to an estimated R433-billion by 2023, equivalent to around 10 to 12% of the country's GDP.
"These costs include healthcare, crime and violence, road crashes, and lost productivity."
Rethink your drink campaign
Rethink Your Drink is a reimagined alcohol harm-reduction campaign by the DG Murray Trust (DGMT) that aims to challenge the norms, policies, and industry practices that promote and normalise heavy drinking.
The campaign does not oppose alcohol consumption entirely. Instead, it targets the conditions that make excessive drinking widespread, especially among young people and in under-resourced communities.
The Rethink Your Drink campaign’s work is rooted in the World Health Organisation’s five “best buy” strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm.
These include:
- Banning alcohol advertising, except at the point of sale, with protections to ensure it is not visible to under-18s.
- Increasing the price of alcohol through excise tax reform and a minimum price per unit of pure alcohol.
- Lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for driving to 0.02g per 100ml or less.
- Restricting the availability of alcohol by reducing outlet density, limiting trading hours, and stopping the sale of oversized containers.
- Expanding access to treatment and counselling for alcohol dependence.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Images: iStock