Although the period for comments has come to a close, Cabinet reported that, in the week commencing 6 June 2016, it will debate only the proposal that seeks to amend section 9 of the Liquor Act, 59 of 2003, which relates to the advertising and marketing of alcohol products in South Africa.

The National Liquor Policy seeks to amend those provisions of the Liquor Act that relate to the advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages by empowering “the Minister of Trade and Industry to determine the restrictions and parameters for advertising and marketing of liquor products in line with the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill.” Although Cabinet has already approved the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill, the bill has not yet been published for public comment. According to the National Liquor Policy, however, “the bill is calling for the restriction of advertisement of the alcoholic beverages, prohibition of sponsorship and promotion associated with alcoholic beverages.” Should this amendment be accepted into law, the Minister of Trade and Industry will be in a position, for example, to prescribe when adverts featuring alcohol may be flighted. The suggestion that has been made is that advertisements featuring alcohol products may only be flighted between 22h00 and 06h00.