The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has proposed to the government to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
This is part of the measures outlined in the national policy to combat alcohol, drug, and substance abuse released on Wednesday, July 30, by the Ministry of Interior.
In its measures, NACADA also wants the government to ban hawking and sale of alcohol in supermarkets, home deliveries and couriers, residential premises and areas, online, restaurants, basic education, tertiary, higher learning institutions, public beaches, public parks, amusement parks, recreational facilities, medical facilities, bus parks, bus stops, petrol stations, public transport (including trains), railway stations, ferry stations, piers, on highways, outlets selling children-related products example toy shops, hawking and vending machines
Further, the authority wants social media influencers, celebrities and sports personalities to be banned from endorsing and advertising alcohol.
“Any person used in advertising or endorsing alcoholic drinks shall be above 25 years, and further, there shall be no lifestyle advertising through any form of advertisement or promotion,” NACADA proposed.The policy also seeks to outlaw alcohol price promotions such as discounts, free samples, flat-rate offers, as well as volume sales, common in bars, supermarkets, and online retailers.
