Government set to review drinking age
2013-03-18 13:53
Johannesburg - Government is considering raising the
legal age to consume alcohol from 18 to 21, SAfm reported on Monday,
It reported that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said 10
government ministries were working on measures to reduce harm caused by alcohol
consumption.
Another proposal was that motorists could not consume any
alcohol before driving.
Addressing a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting on
risk factors for non-communicable diseases, held in Boksburg, Motsoaledi said
other measures to be considered included a ban on alcohol advertising and a
review of alcohol pricing.
He commended the Gauteng provincial government for the
changes it intended making to alcohol laws in the province, which could include
not selling alcohol on Sundays.
The WHO said 4% of all deaths globally could be
attributed to alcohol.
Motsoaledi said there might be a fight over the changes,
but government was prepared for it, the report concluded.
- SAPA
