‘There has been a lot of research. Now is time for action,’ said Dr Motoaledi, speaking at the launch of the SA Health Review in Pretoria.
Acknowledging that it was going to be tough, he appealed to researchers and academics to stand with him ‘to take the blows’.
‘Even our best friends object when it comes to alcohol. Even during the apartheid boycotts, alcohol was never boycotted,’ said Motsoaledi.
However, he said he would continue to take a stand against both alcohol and tobacco.
‘We would like there to be no smoking by 2020, and for children to only see cigarettes in museums and to ask why their forebears tried to exterminate themselves,’ he added.
Motsoaledi also praised the citizen journalism project, OurHealth, started by Health-e News Service in five of the NHI pilot districts.
‘We welcome the citizen reporting of OurHealth. We need the citizens of South Africa to be our eyes and ears so that citizens everywhere can get good health services,’ said the Minister. ‘ Health-e News Service.