The National Liquor Authority of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has embarked on a campaign to educate consumers, members of the public and liquor traders about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse, compliance with liquor laws and community participation and vigilance. The campaign kicked off in Limpopo last week, and will be making pit stops in popular shopping malls in Kimberley tomorrow, Schweizer-Reneke on Thursday, Cape Town and Durban on 20 and 22 December 2011, respectively.
According to the Director-General of the DTI, Mr Lionel October, the campaign should not have come at a more opportune time as the festive season is notorious for excessive and irresponsible liquor consumption, as well as violation for the country’s liquor laws by traders.
“It is important to repeatedly impress upon consumers that alcohol abuse is not only dangerous to their own health, but it also costs the country millions of rands and leads to unnecessary loss of lives. The message that is being disseminated to members of the public through the campaign is that every community member needs to play a role and report cases of illegal liquor trading or violation of both the provincial and national liquor laws by traders. The campaign is also targeted at traders who are encouraged to comply with the country’s liquor laws,” added October.
For interview requests:
Bongani Lukhele
Cell: 074 299 8512
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
