Malema calls for total ban on alcohol ads

EFF leader Julius Malema says South Africa should follow the example set with tobacco and impose a total ban on alcohol advertising, arguing that current marketing glamorises drinking while concealing its social costs.

- HOPE NTANZI

Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Enugu on Sunday, Malema criticised how alcohol brands portray alcohol consumption.

“We don't want alcohol advertised in South Africa because they advertise alcohol through the means that is not a true reflection of alcohol.

“Why are you not advertising alcohol with drunkards and show people what alcohol will do to them? It cannot be that alcohol is advertised only with beautiful people at the beach. It must be a true reflection of what this will do to you,” he said.

Malema compared his call to South Africa’s earlier stance on tobacco, which outlawed cigarette advertising under the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act of 1999.