Johannesburg- The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) is not convinced that a ban on alcohol advertising will reduce levels of abuse, it said on Tuesday.
“Sacci believes that the banning of advertising increases state intervention in legitimate business operations, but may not deliver the anticipated tangible benefits,” chief executive Neren Rau said in a statement.
This was in response to the draft Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill, which aims to restrict alcohol advertising and promotion.
Sacci said advertising was one of a number of factors, such as peer pressure and parent examples, that influenced consumption.
Research had shown it did not drop because of an advertising ban.
It noted a study by Econometrix that a ban could lead to the loss of about 12,000 jobs and a reduction in GDP of about R7.4 billion.
Sacci recognised alcohol abuse as a problem requiring specific interventions, such as policing existing regulations relating to sales, particularly to underage youth, and raiding and shutting down illicit sales outlets.
Education on the effects of over-indulgence could also be enhanced, it said. - Sapa