Zimbabwe moves to ban sales of alcohol during weekdays

In order to curb abuse, the Zimbabwean government is planning to enact a law barring the sale of alcohol from Monday to Friday, and to expectant women. 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 Sunday Mail, another Zimbabwean newspaper, 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.