Proposed beer policy not meant to dampen pleasure

downing the “wise waters” but will instead protect the vulnerable from the effects of its abuse, Special Health Adviser to the President and Cabinet Dr Timothy Stamps has said.
An official in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare last week said a Bill on the policy will soon be tabled in Parliament. The policy seeks to regulate how much alcohol an individual should consume in licensed public places.
The proposed Bill says “a person will not be allowed to have more than 0,08 percent blood alcohol concentration in his/her bloodstream and anyone found to have exceeded this level risks being arrested”.
This proposal has drawn mixed reactions from Zimbabweans.
There are concerns that the alcohol limit appears to be uniform for both motorists and non-drivers.
Dr Stamps yesterday said the proposed policy would not stop Zimbabweans from enjoying their alcoholic beverages.
“The policy will identify and control the harms associated with alcohol abuse. It will protect vulnerable people such as children, passengers and those who react badly to alcoholic beverages,” he said.
Dr Stamps cited the increasing prevalence of road traffic accidents due to alcohol use and abuse as justification for the new measures.
“Deaths associated with road traffic accidents account for more than 50 percent in the Southern Africa region and are caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
He said the policy would not seek to alter existing laws like the Road Traffic Act.
“It’s not fair for our children to be at risk from irresponsible drinking.
“The policy does not seek to alter the law but will co-ordinate the various ministries and Government departments that deal with the problem.
“Besides the health ministry, which has got to bear the burden of diseases and the costs of looking after the injured, and other ministries including Labour and Social Service, Home Affairs, Local Government, Justice and Legal Affairs among others must have an input in implementing the policy.
“The finance ministry should also benefit from the sale of alcohol but at the moment people just sell their beer without contributing to the fiscus.
“There is lot money being made from illegal sales of alcohol.
“It is in the interest of the ministry to control the illegal sales because no tax payments are being made at the moment.”
He gave the example of Russia, which has over the years considered beer as an ordinary commodity until 2010 when it was included in the alcohol list.
“It has become a health challenge calling for the development of alcoholic drinks taken in safe and pure conditions.
Dr Stamps said police would also get state-of-the-art breathalysers to detect levels of alcohol among drivers and other road users.