Motsoaledi resolute on banning alcohol ads

(Image: GCIS)

Speaking at the launch of the HIV, Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign at the construction site of the Kusile power station in Mpumalanga, Motsoaledi was determined to pick up where former Health Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma left off. In 1996, she banned the advertisement of cigarettes on TV and radio.

"I'm taking over from where Dr Dlamini-Zuma left off... I'm going to ask Parliament to pass a law that no alcohol adverts be played on TV or radio..."

Motsoaledi noted that a number of people were in hospitals, with others being disabled, due to excessive intake of alcohol.

He said the move was in a bid to reduce the number of Non-Communicable Diseases caused mostly by cigarettes, alcohol and lack of exercise.

Support

"I've got support from the UN. A resolution was passed last year in September by the UN, where countries were told to go back and put laws in [place] to reduce NCDs. We are continuing with these campaigns to fight HIV and Aids and TB, whilst fighting NCDs because they go together - you can't fight one without fighting the other," Motsoaledi said.

He also announced that the Health Department was in the process of passing regulations that will force companies to reduce salt in their food, including bread.

"According to research, 6500 lives can be saved if salt is reduced. The instruction to reduce salt in food will come directly from my department," Motsoaledi said.