Raising legal drinking age ‘won’t be enough’ – liquor traders
The
National Liquor Traders Council says raising the country's legal drinking age
won't be enough to repair the damage caused by the scourge of underage
drinking.
The council's been reacting to a proposal by President Cyril Ramaphosa that a national debate be held on increasing the legal age limit from 18 to 21.
Ramaphosa addressed the issue during Wednesday's mass funeral for the 21 young people who died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London.
The council's Mxolisi Duma acknowledges that underage drinking is a serious problem, but says there are other concerns.
READ: Liquor association: Tavern owners failed Enyobeni victims
"There is concern that it will be changed because of what happened and because of the poor discpline we have on our youth or even the problem of family structures dying or because of the law that we have that gives children the freedom to do what they want to do without their parents.
“I don't even know if it will be a solution to the problem we are facing.”
