Maputo — The Mozambique's revised Penal Code will introduce tougher penalties for alcohol abuse and urinating or defecating in public places, reports Thursday's issue of the daily newspaper "O Pais".

On Wednesday, the matter was the subject of a thorough analysis during a meeting of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Human Rights and Legality which is drafting the revised Penal Code.

The Health Ministry has recently expressed its concern with alcohol abuse, which is a public health problem and the cause of death of thousands of young people across the country.

Under the draft Penal Code, the criminalisation of alcohol abuse does not only fall on consumers, but also on those who encourage children to drink alcohol or guardians who allow their children to buy alcoholic beverages.

As for defecating and urinating in public places, which is a chronic problem in urban areas, the committee intends to incorporate these issues into an article dealing with indecent exposure.