Zambian bars and nightclubs are violating various liquors laws, hindering the country’s anti alcohol abuse movement a legal advisor has said.
A campaign against alcohol abuse is being led by Professor Nkandu Luo, Minister for Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, in an attempt to reduce alcohol abuse in the country and with it risky behaviours that can lead to HIV transmission and hampers things such as sanitation.
Michael Musenga, Zambia’s national legal advisor for Community Total Led Sanitation (CLTS), said if local authorities working together with traditional leaders enforced liquor licensing laws the anti-alcohol abuse campaign could succeed.
He added that CLTS was in support of Prof Luo’s effort and will work with traditional leaders in the country to ensure there is meaningful progress on the enforcement of existing Zambian laws pertaining to alcohol abuse.
He said: “In addition to this, there are also statutory instruments which have been enacted to help the liquor trade in the country such as the statutory instrument…which regulates the hours of operations of the liquor premises. There is also another…that regulates the packaging of opaque beer.
“If all these laws can be enforced by the local authorities, working together with the communities and the tradition leadership in the country, [it] will help the satisfactory launch of the [anti] alcohol abuse campaign being spearheaded by Prof Luo.
“We want this government’s campaign to be a success especially as it will benefit many Zambians, especially the youths. The hours of legal operation for all liquor premises, regardless of their status, for a bar or tavern is 10 to 22 hours, for a night club is 10 to 24 hours, which must be enforced by councils.”