10 reasons why the alcohol ban is back, according to Mkhize
Health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize has outlined government’s reasoning why it took the decision to reinstate the ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol in the country.
The alcohol restrictions in place are about limiting the damage that alcohol abuse tends to create, Mkhize said.
World Health Organisation data showed that 31% of the population aged 15 and older consume alcohol. And while this appears to be a relatively low number, Mkhize said, their consumption rate is among the highest in the world.
The country has a particularly high proportion of ‘binge drinkers’, he said.
Dr Mkhize said that alcohol-related trauma cases tend to be young and fit individuals who would otherwise not require hospitalisation, adding an unnecessary burden on facilities.
Data from level 4 and level 5 lockdown indicated a massive reduction in alcohol-related trauma. This has fed into the decision to reinstate the sales suspension, Mkhize said.
“Some of the modelling that was done to predict the impact of an alcohol ban showed that the suspension of alcohol sales could result in a 20% reduction in all trauma (cases) and 40% reduction in all alcohol-related trauma by the third week,” he said.
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