The Zimbabwean government is set to pass a law that will bar
the sale of alcohol from Monday to Friday, and to expectant women in order to
curb the abuse of the beverage.
The new law will particularly target motor vehicle drivers,
who will face arrest if found driving with blood alcohol concentration levels
going beyond 0,08 per 100ml, The Zimbabwe Mail reports.
Former Zimbabwe health minister Timothy Stamps, now serving
as health adviser in the office of the president is credited to be the sponsor
of the new National Alcohol Policy.
According to another Zimbabwean newspaper, Sunday Mail,
retailers found selling the drink to expectant women will also be prosecuted.
The policy recommends that alcohol advertisements should be
done at least 100 metres away from a road intersection, school, clinic,
hospital, church and old people’s homes.
“Policies are there
to give guidance to the general populace and various stakeholders. The
reduction of alcohol abuse can be done partly through the law but the rest will
be through moral suasion,” the newspapers quoted Stamps as saying.
Critics of the proposed regulations have however taken issue
with its impact on profitability for retailers. They say it would force many of
them out of business in a country where unemployment is a big problem.
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