Alcohol adverts Bill will curb misuse, says Minister

'There has been a lot of research. Now it is time for action,' said Motsoaledi, at the launch of the South African Health Review. Acknowledging it was going to be tough, he appealed to researchers and academics to stand with him 'to take the blows'. The director of South Africans Against Drunk Driving, Charlotte Sullivan, said 65% of road crashes had an alcohol component, with either the driver or pedestrian drunk. 'Alcohol is causing huge damage... banning alcohol advertising is a positive step towards doing something about the problem, particularly if you look at alcohol adverts aimed at young people. If you look at the statistics of who is dying, it is the young people between 15 and 35,' she said. According to the report, the director of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Carol du Toit, said the association would support any restrictions which would protect young people and children from marketing messages glamourising drinking and promoting alcohol. However, Adrian Botha of the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use, which represents major alcohol producers, said the ban would not reduce alcohol-related harm. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)