The National Treasury has issued a 30-day notice for public comment (that closes tomorrow on 13th of December) on its proposed alcohol tax policy, sparking concerns from the liquor industry about the short timeframe to respond. The initiative aims to develop an excise outline that addresses the harmful use of alcohol, aligning with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations to reduce alcohol-related harm globally. The Treasury's proposal coincides with ongoing efforts to address alcohol-related social challenges including road fatalities and underage drinking especially during the festive season, recent statistics highlight the grim toll of alcohol misuse; with hundreds of road deaths linked to reckless and drunk driving in Gauteng and Limpopo alone.

The Treasury plans to announce updated tax policies during the 2025 Budget, following revisions informed by public feedback however, Industry stakeholders have voiced apprehension about the potential impact of higher taxes and their alignment with WHO’s stance that no level of alcohol consumption is safe. We are joined on the line by Lucky Ntimane, convener of the National Liquor Traders Council