Calls for alcohol ban spark debate

Calls for the ban of alcohol have sparked debate with some stakeholders calling it unpractical.

Yesterday Resident Doctors Association of Zambia president Brian Sampa stated a lone walk from Lusaka to Kabwe demanding for the ban of alcohol.

Dr Sampa during his walk indicated that alcohol has many effects that have negatively impacted the country.

But The Bar and Night club owners association described the calls by Dr Sampa as misplaced.

Association president Peter Mwale said alcohol is a big industry globally that pays huge taxes to the government.

Meanwhile Pharmaceutical expert Jerome Kanyika has also opposed the call by Dr Sampa to ban alcohol in the country.

Mr. Kanyika says alcohol is used in many industries and the pharmaceutical industry uses alcohol as a solvent in most syrup medicines.

He says banning alcohol will then call for the banning of all industries that use alcohol as a solvent adding that it will only contribute to the already devastating economy.

CUE

And Economist Munyumba Mutwale says alcohol has contributed to tax revenue.

Mr Mutwale says alcohol largely contributes to the country’s economic growth.

He says banning alcohol will lead not only to loss of jobs but businesses as well.

Mr. Mutwale however says talks should be about how people can be able to drink alcohol and still be productive for economic purposes.

Calls for the ban of alcohol have sparked debate with some stakeholders calling it unpractical.

Yesterday Resident Doctors Association of Zambia president Brian Sampa stated a lone walk from Lusaka to Kabwe demanding for the ban of alcohol.

Dr Sampa during his walk indicated that alcohol has many effects that have negatively impacted the country.

But The Bar and Night club owners association described the calls by Dr Sampa as misplaced.

Association president Peter Mwale said alcohol is a big industry globally that pays huge taxes to the government.

Meanwhile Pharmaceutical expert Jerome Kanyika has also opposed the call by Dr Sampa to ban alcohol in the country.

Mr. Kanyika says alcohol is used in many industries and the pharmaceutical industry uses alcohol as a solvent in most syrup medicines.

He says banning alcohol will then call for the banning of all industries that use alcohol as a solvent adding that it will only contribute to the already devastating economy.

And Economist Munyumba Mutwale says alcohol has contributed to tax revenue.

Mr Mutwale says alcohol largely contributes to the country’s economic growth.

He says banning alcohol will lead not only to loss of jobs but businesses as well.

Mr. Mutwale however says talks should be about how people can be able to drink alcohol and still be productive for economic purposes.