As part of a campaign to reduce the consumption of alcohol in Botswana, President Festus Mogae wants legislation implemented that would not only restrict the hours in which alcohol can be sold, but also refuse licences to bars wanting to open near schools, churches and roads, with similar businesses already in existence being given five years to relocate.
President Mogae talked up the plan this week with residents of Molepolole, a town west of the capital Gabarone, blaming alcohol abuse for weakening the economy, increasing road accidents, contributing to high rates of murder, assaults and rape cases, reducing “capable people to nothing” and diminishing the effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs used against the Southern African country’s large HIV/AIDS problem. Even though he recognised it might mean the end of many alcohol-related businesses and jobs, he thought the rewards outweighed the costs.
In some very sensible commentary on the opening hours regulations - which were due to be implemented earlier this year but have been temporarily set aside in parliament - Dan Moabi of Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone) wonders why the liquor industry has been so quiet on the matter - unless they have been engaged in some “quite diplomacy” - and has some advice for the liquor industry and the government. I think it applies quite well to the new zoning proposals as well:
The Liquor Industry
* It should detail what the costs of the opening hours regulation would be and on what kind of businesses and employees they would fall. (The proposed hours, at least earlier this year, were for bars and bottles stores to only be open from 5pm to 11pm, and be closed on Sundays).
* It should outline how it could assist in enforcing existing laws and regulations. For example, does it ensure minors are not sold alcohol, is enough being done to cut down on noise and other nuisances emanating from bars, and is it encouraging its patrons to consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation?
The Government
* It should ask itself why existing laws and regulations against the likes of drunk driving and noisy establishments in residential neighbourhoods are not preventing the ails they are targeting? Won’t new regulations just be piled on top of existing ones, leading to no more effective regulations than before?
* New regulations will lead to binge drinking - as people try to fit in as much alcohol as possible, in less time. They will also turn people more towards shebeens - that is, unlicensed or backdoor drinking venues.
* A public relations campaign about the dangers of excessive drinking will be much more effective in cutting down alcohol abuse than the proposed regulations.
