Minimum Pricing on Alcohol: A risky shortcut South Africa can't afford

SOUTH Africa is facing a real challenge in addressing the consequences of harmful drinking.

- CHARLENE LOUW

We see it in our hospitals, on our roads, and in our communities.

Its a problem that demands decisive action - but not desperate shortcuts.

The proposed policy to introduce Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) on alcohol - setting a legal floor price per unit of alcohol - is being presented as a solution.

On the surface, it sounds promising. Raise the price, and you'll reduce harmful consumption.

But in practice, and especially in the South African context, the consequences are far more damaging than the theory suggests.

As the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA), we support the intention to reduce alcohol-related harm. But we strongly caution against using MUP as a policy tool.

Here's why:

A policy that will hurt the poor