NLTC opposes South Africa’s proposed alcohol advertising ban

The National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) has called for a sustainable solution to curb rising youth substance abuse, stressing that banning alcohol advertising should not be part of it.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile raised concerns, warning that substance abuse destroys young lives and fuels unemployment and crime.

NLTC opposes alcohol advertising ban

According to SABC News, NLTC convenor Lucky Ntimane criticised the proposed alcohol advertising ban, calling it a short-sighted way to address substance abuse.

“We acknowledge that alcohol and drug abuse contribute to unemployment,” Ntimane said.

“But banning alcohol advertising will only worsen the crisis. Our economy is growing at less than one percent annually. 37 percent of black South Africans are unemployed, and three million graduates remain jobless. We need sustainable solutions that tackle substance abuse while also supporting job creation,” he added.

Liquor Amendment Bill targets alcohol advertising

Parliament recently introduced the Liquor Amendment Bill, which aims to ban alcohol advertising, promotion, and product placement across all media platforms.

The Bill also directs the state to combat the normalisation of alcohol use and curb liquor-related harm by restricting its visibility and consumption.

EFF MP Veronica Mente-Nkuna, who presented the Bill in the National Assembly, said the legislation targets South Africa’s growing public health crisis caused by alcohol abuse.

“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,” she said.

EFF drives the push

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have tabled the Bill as a private member’s proposal, arguing that liquor advertising glamorises drinking culture while hiding its societal costs.

These issues include gender-based violence, traffic-related deaths, family disintegration, and pressure on public healthcare services.