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Bill to halt liquor sales to pregnant women

07 February, 2012 05:56:00 SAPA

Photo ©: © DURIS Guillaume - Fotolia.com

No liquor is to be sold to pregnant women in Gauteng, but who will determine whether a women is pregnant or not? The shopkeepers or the women themselves?

Let's face it, it's not always easy to tell. Some women who are pregnant don't look like it, and vice versa. So what is the solution? Pregancy testing for all women entering a liquor store?

SAPA reports on draft liquor bill

The draft Gauteng liquor bill of 2012, released on Monday and awaiting public comment, would prohibit the sale of alcohol to pregnant women, the DA said.

"Pregnant women in this province are in for a surprise next time they stop off to buy a bottle of champagne," spokesperson Gavin Lewis said in a statement.

According to section 53(1) of the draft legislation, a licenced liquor trader would not be allowed to sell, supply or give alcohol to minors, anyone wearing a school uniform, anyone who "reasonably appears to be intoxicated", or pregnant women.

Foetal alcohol syndrome

"Actuated no doubt by the real concerns around foetal alcohol syndrome, this provision is likely to have all sorts of unanticipated consequences in the law courts," Lewis said.

These included possible conflict with the Constitution and gender equity regulations, he said.

BEE licence criteria

According to the draft legislation, a liquor licence application must be accompanied by the "broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) or black economic empowerment status of the applicant indicating the shareholding, member’s interest or partnership structure of the applicant".

Section 17(1) states that the MEC may issue regulations directing that all applicants must meet a certain BBBEE status within a determined period.

Lewis said the BEE provisions in the bill could add to the burden of small businesses, who would likely find it more difficult to implement than big industries.

Substance abuse clampdown

Despite these concerns, Lewis said the bill did indicate "a real desire to clamp down on substance abuse" and tighten the responsibilities of liquor outlets.