Draft Bill on alcohol advertising on the cards

Pretoria - A draft Bill regarding alcohol advertising in the country is being considered by the Department of Health.

Department spokesperson, Fidel Hadebe explained in a statement on Monday that as is the case with all Bills, the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill will go through various stages of consultation, including serving before relevant Cabinet Committees and ultimately Cabinet before it is released for public comment.

"The department wishes to caution the industry [affected by this proposed Bill] against reacting to the leaked document as these may in some instances be out of touch with the consultation processes which the department remains committed to," Hadebe said.

The Bill follows concerns expressed by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi around the impact of alcohol on public health and has committed himself to addressing this challenge. 

Hadebe noted that the advertising and marketing of alcohol beverages was just one of the many avenues that are being considered as part of addressing this challenge. - BuaNews