The National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) has called for long-term, sustainable measures to address youth substance abuse, warning that banning alcohol advertising will do little to resolve the crisis.
The council’s stance follows remarks by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who recently expressed concern about the growing impact of substance abuse on young people, linking it to unemployment and crime.
While acknowledging the social and economic damage caused by alcohol and drug misuse, the NLTC argues that curbing advertising is a short-sighted approach.
The organisation maintains that such restrictions could worsen existing economic challenges, pointing to sluggish growth, high unemployment, and limited opportunities for graduates.
Parliament is currently considering the Liquor Amendment Bill, which seeks to ban alcohol advertising, promotion, and product placement across all media platforms. The legislation also proposes reducing the normalisation of alcohol consumption by restricting its visibility in society.
Introducing the Bill in the National Assembly, EFF MP Veronica Mente-Nkuna highlighted the public health risks linked to alcohol abuse. She argued that advertising portrays alcohol as a lifestyle aspiration, encouraging young people to associate it with success, sport, and leisure.
The Economic Freedom Fighters, who tabled the Bill as a private member’s proposal, believe stronger regulation is necessary to counter alcohol-related harms, which range from road accidents and gender-based violence to family instability and rising pressure on public healthcare.
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