It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that all South Africans enjoy their festive season without unfortunate incidents that cause long-lasting harm and pain. This was said by the Chief Director of the National Liquor Authority (NLA) at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) Ms Thezi Mabuza. Mabuza was speaking at the Bushbuckridge Mall in Mpumalanga today where officials from the dti and the Mpumalanga Provincial Liquor Board were on a campaign to promote responsible liquor consumption and trading.
The annual national Festive Season Liquor Compliance and Awareness Campaign, which is held under the theme "Responsible liquor trading and consumption is everybody’s business!" is being used as a platform to convey compliance messages targeting liquor traders and raise awareness among all members of the public on the adverse effects of liquor abuse, particularly during the festive season. It was launched in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape last month.
"It is common for most people to over indulge in everything in the name of having fun as the festive season is a happy season but more often the consequences are not as envisaged. Liquor sales are above average and so is consumption during the festive season. Since drinking liquor is perceived as a common form of recreation, it is important to warn consumers of the dangers of over-indulgence. On the other hand, this is peak time for liquor traders, so they also need to be reminded to trade responsibly as per their conditions of trade," said Mabuza.
She added that traders were more often tempted to exceed their allowed trading hours and ignore their conditions of trade such as sales to minors and already intoxicated people due to the spending and consumption hype that is inherent in the season.
Mabuza states that it is incumbent upon members of the public to be vigilant of all of the things that impact negatively on communities and report them to the appropriate authorities.
"Parents should not buy alcohol for their children younger than eighteen years of age under the pretext of giving them a once-off opportunity to enjoy themselves as they are likely to get addicted. Pregnant women should stay away from alcohol as it affects their unborn children and can cause Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. Drivers of vehicle should never even consider drinking and driving as the results are too ghastly to contemplate," said Mabuza.
She highlighted that innocent people die on our roads as a result of inconsiderate people who abuse alcohol under the pretext that it is the festive season and they are entertaining themselves.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe – Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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