Alcoholic drinks to have health warnings

The department said the regulations would come into effect within the next 18 months as part of its ongoing campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

The health messages that should be printed on the labels of all alcoholic beverages include the following:

• alcohol reduces driving ability, don't drink and drive;
  
• don't drink and walk on the road, you may be killed;
  
• alcohol increases your risk to personal injuries;
  
• alcohol is a major cause of violence and crime;
  
• alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health; and
  
• drinking during pregnancy can be harmful to your unborn baby.

The regulations require that the health messages be visible and be on a space specifically devoted for that purpose, which should be at least one eighth of the total size of the container label.

"The health message should be in any of the South African languages but must be in the same language as that of the container label.

"The regulations also prohibit the use of words such as 'health', 'healthy' or other words or symbols claiming that the alcoholic beverage has health properties," said the department in a statement.

Anyone who contravenes the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Alcohol consumption has been identified as a major factor in cases of violence and trauma.

It also contributes significantly to non-natural causes of death in the country.

Last month, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe launched the national anti-alcohol abuse campaign.

Issues relating to alcohol abuse, she said at the time, were costing the state more than R9 billion per year.

For this reason her department and the National Liquor Authority have embarked on the campaign to ensure the liquor industry promotes the ethos of social responsibility.

According to the deputy minister, the liquor industry records an annual turnover of over R30 billion.

The deputy minister stated that it was in the public's interest that government intervene to ensure liquor consumers make informed choices, through liquor regulators.

Independent research has revealed that about 500,000 South Africans are suffering from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders at any given time. This is a medical condition or disorder that manifests in a child whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

The Head of National Liquor Authority Jeremiah Mela said at the time, the campaign would teach traders about responsible selling of liquor while calling on consumers to drink responsibly.

He said the campaign would be rolled-out across the country within eight months.

All provinces will host conferences, workshops and seminars to educate all stakeholders in line with the objectives of this campaign, Mela added.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews