SA Government To Raise The Legal Drinking Age To 21

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies on Monday released the national liquor amendment bill and the national gambling amendment bill for public consultation.

South African citizens, communities and industry stakeholders will have 45 days to provide input on the draft legislation, which aims to tighten regulation to address the many social ills associated with drinking and gambling.

“We acknowledge that the liquor industry contributes significantly to GDP, exports and employment, but it needs to be regulated because of the potential harmful effect it can have on individuals and communities as a whole,” Davies said.

The consequences of alcohol abuse have an annual cost to government of R37.9bn, including hospitalisation, accidents and various social problems. According to Davies, alcohol abuse in South Africa is on the up with South Africans consuming five billion litres of alcohol per year.

Davies said one of the proposals contained in the Liquor Policy Paper was to increase the legal drinking age to 21.

“We hope this debate will also involve people who have to deal with the consequences,” Davies said, citing research that showed young people’s brains only reach full development in their mid-20s.