05 Aug 2015

The Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Alfred Madigele, says there is no study, analysis or survey conducted by his ministry on  impact of the alcohol levy on the economy.

Dr Madigele told Parliament that the ministry was planning to conduct a study on the effect of the alcohol levy on the economy, this financial year. Since the introduction of the alcohol levy in November 2008, he said three evaluations had been conducted on the effectiveness of the national alcohol campaign on alcohol consumption.

The minister also said whilst there had been no study, survey or analysis of the alcohol levy on the economy, reduction in alcohol consumption benefitted the economy positively.

He added that the evaluations, together with consultations with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Bank of Botswana informed the decision to increase the levy.

Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale had asked whether the ministry had conducted a study, survey or analysis of the impact of the alcohol levy on the economy.Also, he asked him to state what informed the recent increase to current 55 per cent. Ends