Malawi: Minister Muluzi Set To Launch Alcohol Policy
The Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Malawi Alcohol Policy Alliance is getting ready to launch the Malawi National Alcohol Policy. The launch of the new policy will take place at a special event on August 18, 2017.
Long road to success
Since 1979, Malawi has enacted a range of legislative documents with some aspects pertaining to preventing and reducing alcohol-related harm. Nevertheless, most of the provisions therein are outdated, disjointed and do not conform to international standards. The current legislation includes the Liquor Act (1979), as well as the Road Traffic, Taxation and Consumer Protection Acts.
In 2007, the Government of Malawi in coordination with Drug Fight Malawi (DFM) and other civil society organizations started developing the National Alcohol Policy.
The National Alcohol Policy which was approved by Malawi Cabinet on January 26, 2017 creates linkages of such legislative objects and other relevant policies such as the Health Sector Strategic Plan, Global Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-2021 of World Health Organization and the National Drug Control Policy.
In addition the new alcohol policy feeds into the National Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
With the policy in place, communities will be supported and empowered to use their local knowledge and expertise in adopting effective approaches to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol,” a statement read.