Alcohol Levy raises P22 million from last year
There is no correlation between the Alcohol Levy and decreased drinking, as many people continue to abuse alcohol, research has found.
This contrasts with the objectives for which the Alcohol Levy was set up in 2008 when government imposed a 30 percent tax levy on all alcohol related products, in attempts to decrease the high rate of drinking and alcohol abuse in the country.
However, the Alcohol Levy Fund has raked in millions of Pula. The Fund raised approximately P22 million between 2021 and 2022, with the proceeds being divided among beneficiaries including BOSASNET at P3.4 million, Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme at P3.5 million, Men and Boys for Gender Equality at P3.4 million, GSA at P3.49 million, Botswana Network of AIDS Services Association at P3.4 million, Ark and Mark Trust at P3.7 million and Ultimate Youth with Destiny at P3.4 million.
Funds from the Alcohol Levy are disbursed towards organisations and projects geared at rehabilitation of individuals battling with substance abuse, mitigating the negative impact of alcohol abuse in communities at large and inculcating a culture of healthier recreational choices that don’t always include the abuse of alcohol.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malebogo Morakaladi, told the Parliament Public Accounts Committee recently that the amendment of the Liquor Act has been set for the July winter session of Parliament. She said the Ministry has completed the extensive consultation process that started two years ago.
“We carried out consultations across the 31 towns and district councils in the country, and also engaged key stakeholders in the alcohol industry and communities such as the Botswana Alcohol Association, Botswana Beverages Association, and Ntlo ya Dikgosi.
“We also sought legal counsel from the Attorney General to ensure that the review is fair and just, and carried out within the legal parameters of Botswana’s laws.”
The consultations also sought feedback and stakeholder engagement with intention to review the previous trading hours which were applicable for all liquor outlets.
These trading hours disadvantaged others and had to be reviewed to fairly benefit all establishments and also closely monitor compliance and law enforcement.