RESPONSIBLE TRADING
E G A N R A C E H STOP T LE ALIVE EOP P P E E K P L E H N A C U O Y HOW
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esponsible trading is ALL our concern. As tavern owners, we all have a duty to behave responsibly, ethically and with the wellbeing of others in mind.
Indeed, responsible trading (not to mention responsible drinking) is such a vital issue that in 2011, SAB launched its Responsible Trader Programme (RTP), a high impact and holistic approach to engaging liquor traders on alcohol abuse and the harm it causes communities. The programme is the first if its kind in South Africa and, according to SAB, it “actively positions the liquor trader as a champion in the fight against alcohol abuse and highlights the importance of trading responsibly to ensure the sustainability of the businesses of liquor traders”. Some of the issues dealt with in the programme include intoxicated customers, underage drinking, drinking and driving and pregnant women and drinking. SAB says it developed the RTP “in response to our deep concern about the harm alcohol abuse can cause to individuals, families and communities”. The beer giant says the programme’s objective is to encourage self-regulation amongst traders by creating awareness of the social, health and economic consequences of irresponsible trading. “Added to the devastating impact of alcohol abuse on communities and individuals, irresponsible traders face
tough consequences for their behaviour, including the potential loss of their trading license and in turn, a loss in income”. SAB believes that the most effective way to address alcohol abuse is through targeted interventions, such as the Responsible Trader Programme, which focus on those drinking patterns that are associated with harm.
Cape (Witzenberg; West Coast and Beaufort West); Northern Cape (De Aar and Kimberley) and Eastern Cape (Bethelsdorp). Responsible trading is also directly tied in to South Africa’s high road death toll, especially as this pertains to pedestrians. Traditionally, the Christmas holiday break is a high-risk period in South Africa for road deaths and accidents and with a year-on-year increase since 2011, it is up to all South Africans to remember the consequences of an irresponsible approach to alcohol use.
One of these is, of course, drinking while pregnant. According to ARA (Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use) September 9 marked International FASD Awareness Day and serves as a worldwide A total of 1 376 people were killed on initiative to increase awareness regarding South Africa’s roads during the festive Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). season, according to Transport Minister Dipuo Peters. The day also serves as an opportunity She was releasing the festive season road to showcase some of the international death statistics for the period trends or programmes that various 1 December 2013 to 7 January 2014. countries are involved with and how different countries create awareness “For the period 12 December to 7 and reduce FASD prevalence within their January 2014, there were 1 147 crashes communities. nationally with 1 376 fatalities,” she said. “In our experience, targeted interventions According to then transport minister are more successful when it comes Ben Martins, there is a clear trend that to changing behaviour as opposed to pedestrians who consume too much blanket policies,” explains Leana Olivier, alcohol are putting themselves and other CEO of The Foundation for Alcohol road users at risk when they cross roads. Related Research (FARR). “The first ever decrease in FASD prevalence rate in the world occurred between 2006-2009 through FARR’s intervention programme in De Aar, which has the highest rate of FASD reported worldwide. There was a 30% reduction in FASD since 1997.” Currently, FARR runs programmes in three provinces, namely Western
“It is happening in villages, townships and other residential areas rather than on the national highways. Pedestrians who walk home and are intoxicated should realise that they are putting themselves as well as other road users at risk,” he said. The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) CEO, Dr Osborn Mahanjana, says: “It is better to drink responsibly at all times, whether you are at home with your family, out at a restaurant or even at the local tavern or pub”. While driving under the influence is not the sole cause of road accidents or fatalities, it is certainly illegal and can have devastating consequences. About 864 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol last year and a significant number of fatalities were a result of pedestrians walking on the road under the influence of alcohol, as well as failure to wear visible or reflective clothing at night. www.spotongmag.co.za
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