Papsak wine is no longer on tap

Government has put an end to sales of cheap wine in unmarked, inflatable foil containers, commonly known as papsakke.

According to the amended Act, all liquor products sold must either be "pre-packaged in a self-supporting container" or be sold in a tamper-proof, outer container with a sealed tap.

This means that boxed wine, which has in an inner-foil bladder, is safe from the ban, as long the box is sealed, self-supporting and tamper-proof.

With regard to other types of cheap alcohol, which are sold in plastic containers, the new regulation stipulates that they have a capacity of 5 litres or less; be made of new plastic and have tamper-proof caps.

Concerns have been raised by both government and civic groups regarding the easy access and affordability of some liquor, particularly in rural communities.

For years, many farm-workers in such communities were paid their wages in alcohol, instead of cash, in what was known as the "dop system."

This was linked to the break-down of families, increased levels of crime and the world's highest rate of foetal alcohol syndrome in the Western Cape.

According to the Macro Social Trends report, released last year, the majority of contact crimes occur in socio-economically depressed areas where there are high levels of unemployment and a proliferation of liquor outlets, which leads to alcohol and substance abuse.

Government has been working to address many of the social ills linked to alcohol abuse.

Earlier this month new regulations were published, requiring that containers of alcoholic beverages display messages highlighting the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

These fall under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act.

The Department of Health at the time 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.

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.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews