THAT Government’s decision to ban the illegal selling of alcohol in the open – markets and streets – has received widespread support is not surprising.
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This is because the illegal selling of alcohol has been allowed to grow out of proportions leading to a break down in social order in communities and Zambians have had enough.
The practice is especially rife in urban centres, with Lusaka probably topping the list. The central business district in Lusaka is dotted with stands selling all manner of alcoholic drinks.
The illegal bus stations that have been allowed compound the problem. They attract the alcohol vendors to set up shop.
These do not only deal with take-aways but even provide makeshift benches for their customers to drink on the “premises.”
It is anybody’s guess what happens after some of these patrons who also double as call-boys in some cases get intoxicated.
Hopefully, the ban announced by Local Government and Rural Development Minister Garry Nkombo last Wednesday would lead to what Alcohol Concern Zambia (ACZ) says is reduced collateral damage on Zambian society through alcohol.
Mr Nkombo said on announcing the ban: “I have directed all local authorities to take immediate action in enforcing the provisions of the Liquor Licensing Act within their jurisdictions.”
But as ACZ Executive Director Dr. Clement Lumuel Sakala noted, the illegal selling of alcohol had become a major public health menace in the country as it is now estimated that there is illegal alcohol vending happening within a radius of 50 meters of any human settlement anywhere in Zambia.
He said easy accessibility of alcohol in Zambia had resulted in an increase in experimentation on alcohol consumption among the youth and many of whom are unwittingly falling victim to alcohol dependency and alcoholism.
“The collateral damage that this is having on the nation is too great to the country, families and society at large. We therefore appreciate and endorse the measures taken by the minister and all the stakeholders involved for their collective efforts to improve public safety and encourage responsible alcohol consumption,” Dr Sakala said.
For this to become a reality, local authorities must be proactive and ensure that they enforce the sale and consumption of alcohol in their areas.
The councils should actually be blamed for the growing number of “junkies” in the nation having failed to enforce the liquor laws.
For example, almost every home store in townships also deals with alcohol. The so-called liquor stores, which should only deal in take-aways allow people to drink within the premises and operate as bars.
These are matters of concern that must be addressed and stopped for the ban to be effective.
As Dr Sakala noted, “we also believe that this will ultimately promote the well-being of all members of our community and at the same time help many of our young people become socially responsible individuals who can contribute positively to society rather than being a burden.”
Let the most visible points of sale be the first to disappear to assure the nation that the ban is not just another statement to appease the public.
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