EFF wants alcohol advertising banned in South Africa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have introduced a private member’s bill in Parliament to ban alcohol advertising and prohibit the use of liquor brand names, logos, and sponsorships at public events.

EFF MP and Commissar Veronica Mente-Nkuna presented the Liquor Amendment Bill in the National Assembly, stating that the legislation seeks to tackle South Africa’s growing public health crisis linked to alcohol abuse and its “normalisation” in society.

“We live in a society where alcohol has been normalised and marketed as a lifestyle aspiration. Bright and attractive adverts target even young children, who grow up associating alcohol with success, sport and leisure,” the EFF claimed.

The party contends that liquor advertising promotes a glamorous image of drinking while hiding its true societal costs, including gender-based violence, road deaths, family breakdowns, and pressure on public healthcare systems.

Key Features of the Proposed Bill

• A complete ban on alcohol advertisements in all media formats
• Prohibition on the use of alcohol brand names, logos, or sponsorships at organised events, including sports and concerts
• Tougher legislative oversight of alcohol marketing aimed at vulnerable groups, particularly youth and children

The EFF accused liquor companies of evading accountability by hiding behind “slick advertising and irresponsible promotion,” while the social costs are borne by communities and the state.

“The true cost of alcohol abuse is carried by society as a whole,” the statement said.

Call for Urgency

The EFF has urged the Speaker of the National Assembly to immediately refer the bill to the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition and called on lawmakers to fast-track its approval.

They are also mobilising civil society, parents, educators, health professionals, and faith-based organisations to back the bill and submit public comments during the parliamentary process.

“Its provisions are straightforward, desperately needed, and cannot be subjected to unnecessary delays,” the party insisted.

CONTEXT

South Africa has long grappled with high levels of alcohol abuse, which have been linked to:

• Over 60% of road accidents
• A significant portion of gender-based violence incidents
• Widespread health complications

Previous efforts to enforce similar advertising bans have stalled because the industry pushed back and raised concerns about the economic impact, especially on sports and events, where alcohol sponsorship plays a key role.

The EFF says they will continue to push for its swift passage as part of their broader agenda to “restore dignity and stability to South African communities.”