Bar owners, retailers, and distributors of alcohol have been given a reminder of their legal obligations as Zambian Breweries partnered with Lusaka and Ndola City Councils in a workshop of compliance.
The aim was to educate those in the alcohol trade on the legal framework governing the sector to help them compete vigorously while respecting the law.
The brewing company together with Lusaka City Council (LCC) and Ndola City Council (NCC) seek to educate bar owners, retailers and distributors on issues pertaining to compliance, prevention and detecting violations of rules, which protects their businesses from fines and lawsuits, and practical advice on running their businesses with a focus on customer care and sustainability, including alcohol responsibility – sensitiSing customers on avoiding underage drinking, drinking and driving, gender based violence and alcohol abuse.
“As owners of the businesses we are there to make money, but we are also there to ensure that our customers and consumers are protected from illegal practices and are in good health. We want to make sure that issues of underage drinking, drinking and driving, and illicit alcohol are a thing of the past,” said Zambian Breweries Legal Counsel Deborah Bwalya.
Ms. Bwalya explained that bar owners, retailers, and distributors have a legal obligation to protect the health, safety, and welfare of others. She also outlined how the trade could ensure compliance with the law, how violations could be prevented and detected, and how bar owners could protect themselves from legal action.
“As Zambian Breweries we want to protect our customers and consumers of the products that we produce from illegal practices, and help them avoid the risk of non-compliance to their business,” she added.
And LCC Public Health Director, Edgar Chilanzi Mulwanda said “Compliance also deals with issues to do with obtaining a business license and paying your taxes. These issues become more complex when your business grows. So, we want business owners to take responsibility and become champions of compliance.”
