Western Cape Government to increase the price of liquor

Liquor Laws Western Cape - The Western Cape Provincial Government (WCPG) plans to reduce alcohol abuse by raising the price of liquor.   Its intention has been published in a green paper (accessible here), which also proposes to clamp down on drinking-and-driving and reduce liquor trading hours.   

A long list of proposals is contained in the green paper, of which the following are amongst the most interesting or alarming (depending on the status of the reader!) :

• Increasing the price of liquor by -
• raising taxes (excise duty), or 
• introducing a minimum price for liquor products
• Reducing liquor trading hours
• A national ban on alcohol advertising, promotion and marketing.
• Reducing the number of liquor outlets in areas where such outlets are considered to be too densely represented
• Zero-tolerance for drivers - those whose licences aren’t older than 3 years or are under 21 years of age
• Greater use of breathalyser testing (eg. testing pedestrians at hot spots)
• Limiting trading hours
• Reducing the density of alcohol outlets (500m radius - rule).
• Reducing the actual alcohol content in beverages.

Comment can be forwarded to the WCPG on or before 30 November 2016