The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) was established in terms of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act No. 10 of 2003 to regulate the sale of liquor at various levels. This mandate entails the issuance of liquor licenses to qualifying applicants, monitoring of compliance to the terms and conditions of the issued license by license-holders, encouragement of participation by new entrants in the industry, facilitation of initiatives geared towards mitigating against the negative socio-economic impact of alcohol consumption in society and ensuring maintenance of adequate standards by the license-holders.

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board commissioned an impact evaluation of the anti-alcohol education and awareness interventions that have been implemented by the Board covering the period of 2021 to 2023.

Underage drinking poses significant risks to the health, well-being, and development of
young individuals. It is crucial to understand the behavioural attitudes of people towards
underage drinking to develop effective prevention strategies. This report outlines a
comprehensive study of people's behavioural attitudes towards underage drinking in
Buffalo City Metro (BCM). The study aimed to gather valuable insights into prevailing
attitudes, knowledge gaps, and potential factors influencing underage drinking behaviour.
The results and findings have informed the development and implementation of our
evidence-based interventions to address this issue effectively.

South Africa has the highest reported Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) prevalence rates in the world, ranging from 26/1000 (2,6%) in Gauteng to 282/1000 (28,2%) in the Northern Cape Province (May, 2016; Olivier, 2016; Urban, 2016). Until 2014 no FASD prevalence studies have been done to date in provinces such as the Eastern Cape (this is the first study), Free State KwaZulu Natal, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Using the existing FARR prevalence study rates in 2008, the Department of Health estimated the country’s FASD prevalence rate to be approximately 6% (Presentation by Corrigal, 2008). Since then very high prevalence rates have been reported in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape Provinces, so the estimated country rate remains a risky guess. 

ECLB has subscribed to Nielsen Company to obtain information on Liquor Industry market research so as to monitor trends and market size by province in the liquor market. This liquor industry data builds on the data that ECLB received in September 2012. The South African liquor industry is a major force in the South African economy, providing employment and income to a number of households and making a substantial contribution to government tax revenue. According to Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (2012) liquor industry’s manufacturing operations and capital expenditure are responsible for an estimated R94.2 billion (or 4, 4%) of South Africa’s gross domestic product. The industry’s GDP multiplier is estimated at R2.08 which means that forevery R1.00 in sales revenue generated by the liquor industry, R2.08 is added to the country’s GDP (ARA, 2012).

This research, funded by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, was conducted in support of the FASfacts intervention in Buffalo City. The FASfacts intervention has both a community education component and a support for pregnant women component. The community education component consists of the Train-the-Trainer Programme, aimed at community leaders and volunteers who are trained as  facilitators to create awareness and educate community members. The Pregnant Women Mentoring Programme (PWMP) supports pregnant women in abstaining from substance use during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding by providing them with a lay counselling service focused on education, emotional support and motivation.

But this is an average for the whole country and we know that averages often hide important facts. Do people drink more or less in the EC? Is there a difference for men or women?