Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has introduced the Liquor Amendment Bill in the National Assembly, aiming to ban alcohol advertising and prevent the use of brand names, logos, or sponsorships linked to liquor at organised events.
The party’s Commissar, Veronica Mente, presented the Liquor Amendment Bill, proposing changes to the Liquor Act of 2003.
Ms V Mente-Nkuna (EFF) introduced the Liquor Amendment Bill in Parliament
The Bill seeks to provide a legislative mechanism through which the State can prevent the advertisement of liquor pic.twitter.com/T5K3CTAPL4
— Dr Ndlozi, Mathematician❤️🖤💚 (@Dr_Ndlozi_Maths) September 8, 2025
In a statement, the party says the bill prioritises public health, social stability, and dignity, arguing that alcohol adverts target young people and mask the harmful effects of excessive drinking.
“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,” the party said.
It added: “What these adverts conceal are the devastating consequences of excessive consumption: broken families , high levels of gender-based violence , road fatalities and the overburdening of our public health system. The trues cost of alcohol abuse is carried by society as a whole, while corporations escape accountability through slick advertising and irresponsible promotion.”
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EFF introduces private member bill in the National Assembly to ban alcohol advertising.
— What these adverts conceal are the devastating consequences of excessive consumption: broken families, high levels of gender-based violence, road fatalities, and the… pic.twitter.com/cJ7MNxmnAM
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 8, 2025
The EFF has urged Parliament to fast-track the bill and called on political parties, civil society, parents, educators, and faith-based groups to support it and participate in the parliamentary process.
“The EFF calls on the Speaker of the National Assembly to urgently refer the Bill to the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition. We further all on the committee to fast-track the processing of this Bill as its provisions are straightforward, desperately needed, and cannot be subjected to unnecessary delays.
“We urge parents, educators, health professionals, and faith-based organisations to stand with us in ending the manipulation of our people through alcohol advertising. We also call on all stakeholders to actively make submissions during the parliamentary process to ensure the voices of our people are heard and acted upon,” the EFF said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
