Legislation to restrain alcohol marketing could be considered

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said in her budget speech in parliament the abuse of alcohol and other illegal substances was the prime factor in trauma cases that "stretch our casualty departments to the limit".

"We need the right policies and laws. I refer to measures like our Tobacco Products Control Act that is having a clear impact on passive smoking". She said the time may have come "to set restraints on the marketing of alcohol".