Festive drinking awareness campaign

 

With festive frivolities around the corner, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ready to make sure that liquor traders as well as revellers comply with the country’s liquor laws and act responsibly.
With the theme “Combating Liquor Abuse is Everyone’s Business”, the nationwide campaign starts in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga on Tuesday and wraps up in Rustenburg in North West on December 11.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, said the department was targeting the festive season, which was known for overindulgence and irresponsible liquor consumption.
Liquor traders were also known to violate laws during this period.
“Liquor sales are above average and so is consumption during the festive season,” said Davies.
“It is peak time for liquor traders, so they need to be reminded to trade responsibly as per the conditions of trading licences.”
He added that since drinking was perceived as a common form of recreation, it was important to warn consumers of the dangers of overindulgence.
The message will be disseminated to members of the public and they are encouraged to play a role by reporting cases of illegal liquor trading or violation of laws by traders.