Maseru, Sept. 19 — The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) has called for stronger regulation of alcohol in Lesotho amid concerns over underage drinking.
The organisation says children as young as nine and 10 years are already consuming alcohol, highlighting the need to review the country’s liquor legislation.
The concerns were raised during a community information session held by SAAPA in Khubetsoana on Saturday.
The engagement forms part of SAAPA’s ongoing campaign to visit communities identified as drug hotspots and engage residents on alcohol and drug-related challenges and possible solutions.
SAAPA Chairperson Mr. Thabo Mokhuts’oane said the organisation is developing an Alcohol Policy which will address issues including the drinking age, advertising, public consumption and the distribution of alcohol.
He said SAAPA was particularly concerned about the availability of alcohol near schools and the exposure of children to alcohol advertising.
Mr. Mokhuts’oane said stronger controls were necessary to protect children and young people.
He said a SAAPA study conducted in Lithoteng found that children as young as nine and 10 years were already consuming alcohol.
SAAPA is proposing that the legal drinking age be raised to at least 25 years.
Mr. Mokhuts’oane argued that many 18-year-olds are still in school and may not have independent financial resources.
“We believe the 1998 Liquor Licensing Act is outdated because, amongst other things, it says 18 years can consume alcohol,” he said.
He also raised concerns over the alleged manufacture and sale of drugs in Khubetsoana, saying such activities expose residents to further risks.
Mr. Mokhuts’oane called on the community to participate in efforts to influence alcohol policy.
“We want to work with you to influence policy. We want it evidence-based, and the community must have a say,” he said.
SAAPA Public Relations Officer Ms. Reitumetse Sekokotoana said alcohol was having a damaging effect on communities, particularly young people.
She described alcohol as a contributing factor to numerous social problems affecting communities.
Meanwhile, SAAPA representative Mr. Zandisile Pantsi said the organisation had compiled records in 2022 of people who had died as a result of alcohol-related harm.
He described the numbers as significant, while clarifying that SAAPA does not advocate for an outright ban on alcohol.
Instead, he said the organisation advocates for responsible consumption and responsible sale of alcohol.
The community dialogue also raised concerns about factors that lead some people to turn to alcohol.
One participant said some people use alcohol because there are limited platforms where they can openly express their struggles.
The participant cited societal expectations around masculinity, including the belief that “men do not cry”, as one factor that can prevent men from seeking help.
Concerns were also raised about alleged experiences of men being mocked by police when attempting to report certain matters.
The participant said irresponsible consumption of alcohol and drugs could have serious consequences, including imprisonment, abuse, accidents and theft.
The participant further said substance abuse could worsen situations involving people at risk of suicide.
SAAPA operates in seven SADC countries — Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — and advocates for stronger and more consistent alcohol policy regulation across the region.
The organisation believes countries can learn from regulatory measures adopted elsewhere in the region while developing policies informed by evidence and the experiences of affected communities.
The Khubetsoana engagement forms part of SAAPA’s broader campaign to engage communities on alcohol and drug-related harm and gather their views as it continues its work on alcohol policy reform.
Ends/TES
