Liquor Amendment Bill - total liquor marketing ban proposed

On 8 September 2025, the Liquor Amendment Bill (B21-2025) (the Bill) was introduced as a private member's bill by Ms Ntombovuyo Veronica Mente-Nkuna, a member of the EFF, in the National Assembly.

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The explanatory memorandum on the objects of the Bill provides that it seeks to advance a deliberate attempt by the state to “counter the normalisation of alcohol and liquor usage”, citing the “prevalence of increased liquor consumption and alcohol-induced dangers to society (that) are increasing”.

The Bill seeks to specifically amend section 9 (Advertising restrictions) of the Liquor Act 59 of 2003, as amended (the Liquor Act).

Section 9 of the Liquor Act currently provides as follows:

“(1) A person must not advertise:

(a) any liquor or methylated spirits:

(i) in a false or misleading matter; or

(ii) in a manner intended to target or attract minors; or

(b) any substance that is prohibited in terms of the Liquor Act.

(2) A person must not advertise any substance as liquor or methylated spirits if that substance is not liquor or methylated spirits, respectively, as defined in the Liquor Act.”

Section 9 is retitled by the Bill as “Advertising and sale restrictions” and removes references to “liquor” in section 9 (1) and (2).

In addition, the Bill adds the following as subsections (3) and (4):

“(3) A person may not:

(a) use advertisement as defined in the Liquor Products Act, 60 1989, as amended (the Liquor Products Act)[1] to promote liquor or the consumption of liquor or cause a person to use advertisement for such purposes;

(b) promote or effect product placement, or cause a person to use promotion or product placement, to promote liquor or the consumption of liquor; or

(c) use a manufacturer's name or any brand element through direct or indirect means to promote liquor or the consumption of liquor.

(4) A registered person [2] may not:

(a) organise or promote any organised activity that is to take place in whole or in part, in the Republic;