You Decide campaign targets underage drinking

South African Breweries says its research has found that one in two under 18s consume alcohol and many have done so before grade eight. 

They have partnered with the National Youth Development Agency and the provincial Department of Education to drive home the message about the dangers of underage drinking during a youth rugby tournament in Margate this weekend. 

SAB's Sanele Gaqa says the You Decide campaign which began in 2012 is aimed at encouraging young people to say no to alcohol. 

"Your body should be clean. There's an issue when you start using alcohol before the age of 18 because your body is not fully developed. It's an actual fact. So, alcohol can harm the development of your body.

"Also, when you start using alcohol before the age of 18, it can lead to other issues where you partake in risky behaviour which is related to the abuse of alcohol," he said.

(File photo: Gallo Images)