New regulations to strengthen controls over the sale of alcoholic drinks in Mozambique took effect since Saturday, aiming to protect the health of citizens and reduce accidents and crimes related to alcohol in the south African country.

The country's state radio reported that the regulations were approved last year and the government considered the most worrying aspect of alcohol consumption was its effect on young people, who were mostly attracted by the low prices of locally manufactured spirits.

From Saturday alcohol may only be sold in authorized places between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the following morning.

The government pointed out that excessive consumption of alcohol, not only damages the health of individuals, but also contributes to traffic accidents, domestic disputes, but also thought to be a significant factor in the recent crime wave in Mozambican cities.

Some of the measures in the new regulations already exist, but will be tightened up, for example, the ban on selling alcoholic drinks to people under the age of 18, to the mentally ill, and to those who are already drunk.

New measures include restrictions on advertising alcohol, the obligatory use on containers of alcoholic drinks of labels warning of the dangers of alcohol, and restrictions on the times when alcohol may be sold in public places.

"The new rules seek to regulate the production and sale of alcoholic drinks and prevent damaging consumption of alcohol, thus protecting individuals and society, so that, in a continuous and substantial manner, the negative impact of alcohol on the health and social well-being of Mozambicans could be reduced," said the report, citing the Mozambican government.