In South Africa (SA), it accounts for approximately 62,000 premature deaths annually, with 60% of those deaths occurring in people in the low, and 15% in the high SES groups.

SA Broadcasting Corporation News Researcher Velemseni Mthiyane says, “We are the 5th highest consumption rate in the world. The average drinker consumes about 30 litres of alcohol per year. 31% of people aged 15 and above drink alcohol. 59% of them are heavy or binge drinkers. 26% of alcohol is homemade or illegally produced.”

--SABC--