The Challenge What the Evidence Shows What Needs to Change Why It Matters
Minimum Drinking Age Young people remain highly exposed to alcohol-related harm. Raising the drinking age can reduce injuries, crashes and hazardous drinking. Conduct public consultation and review South Africa’s drinking age framework.

Why this matters

Many South Africans begin drinking before the age of 18. Early alcohol use is associated with increased risks of injury, violence, mental health challenges, poor educational outcomes and long-term alcohol dependence.

South Africa’s National Liquor Policy proposed raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 21, but the proposal has not progressed.

Key Takeaways

👶 Young people are particularly vulnerable to alcohol harm

🧠 Alcohol affects the developing brain

🚗 Raising the drinking age can reduce road crashes and injuries

📉 Evidence shows higher drinking ages can reduce hazardous drinking

What the Brief Examines

This brief reviews international evidence on minimum drinking age laws, examines constitutional considerations and explores options for public consultation on whether South Africa should raise the drinking age.

Policy Recommendations

Facilitate national public consultation

Consider raising the drinking age to 21

Improve enforcement of existing age restrictions

Strengthen youth prevention programmes