Zimbabwe to ban sale of alcohol during weekdays and to pregnant women

The Zimbabwe Government through its National Alcohol Policy said to be the brainchild of former Zimbabwe health minister Timothy Stamps, now serving as health adviser in the office of the president and cabinet, is set to enact a law barring the sale of alcohol during some days of the week, some hours of the day and to expectant women, in a bid to curb abuse of the beverage.

Car drivers found driving with blood alcohol concentration levels going beyond 0,08 per 100ml, and retailers found selling the drink to expectant women will also be arrested according to the new law.

However critics of the policy which also proposes that any alcohol advertisements should be done further than 100 metres from a road intersection, school, clinic, hospital, church and old people’s homes, are claiming that the new law will have a negative impact on profitability for retailers; forcing many of them out of business in a country where unemployment is a big problem.

There are also groups who support the move, as they claim it will help impart behavior change and curb alcohol abuse.