[imagesource:economictimes]

We have some of the heaviest drinkers in the world right here in South Africa.

Historical misfortunes like the dop system have made the Western Cape a hot spot for alcohol dependency and addiction, with many folks unable to imagine a night without a little tipple. In fact, research estimates that per capita alcohol consumption in the province is between 30% and 40% higher than the national consumption.

Since booze contributes to over 200 different diseases, injuries, and conditions, whilst also being a risk factor for gender-based violence and violent crime, the Western Cape government is looking for ways to curb the problem. They are considering proposing a policy to restrict trading hours for onsite alcohol consumption.

A University of Cape Town modelling study was set up to determine the health and economic impacts of restricting the hours of onsite alcohol consumption, particularly considering three closing-time scenarios: midnight, 1AM and 2AM, per an article in The Conversation:

We estimated the impact of each of the proposed closing times on the number of cases and deaths associated with certain health conditions. The study also assessed the policy’s impact on alcohol expenditure, excise tax, value added tax and retail revenue. Finally we estimated the impact on the cost of combating alcohol-related crime in the Western Cape.

Our results make it clear that limiting the hours for onsite consumption of alcohol will save lives. It will also prevent alcohol-related diseases and injuries, and reduce hospital and crime prevention costs.

The study does mention that national tax revenue and revenue to the alcohol industry will decrease, which can be made up by suggesting a 2AM closing time. This time slot is not the most pro-health policy option, but it is pro-industry and still “represents a modest improvement on the status quo”.

Applying evidence-based policies to reduce alcohol consumption is necessary to reduce alcohol-related harms and deaths. The possibility of limited economic costs should not be a deterrent to this policy objective.

Either way, whatever closing time the government chooses, this policy won’t solve every problem. Other policy interventions geared towards reducing alcohol consumption and its associated harms will also need to be implemented, like banning alcohol advertising; adopting a minimum alcohol unit price; reducing the legal limits for drinking and driving; and making it easier for people to get counselling and medically assisted treatment if they struggle with alcohol dependence.

More work needs to be done to figure this all out, but in the meantime, perhaps it would be wise to get used to less booze anyway.

Fitch & Leedes has been well ahead of the game on this front, offering non-alcoholic versions of famous cocktails in the Fitch & Leedes Memories mocktail range:

 

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The bottom line is that you don’t need to give up if you don’t want to, but if you are anxious that alcohol might be harming your health or causing issues in your personal life, then there’s no time like now to try and give booze the boot.

The lack of a hangover the next day is also pretty promising while you do your part for the province.

[source:theconversation]