Parliament considers extending alcohol curfew

  • 2009-09-23
  • TBT Staff

Alcohol sales have gone down over 10 percent due to bootleg liquor

RIGA- As the debate to extend the hours alcohol purveyanceheats up, the Saeima committee on for Economic, Agricultural, Environmental andRegional Policy today announced their support to change the alcohol curfewuntil 11 p.m.

The parliament will review the bill in its second reading.

The Latvian Liquor Producers and Sellers Association hasasked that the regulations apply to all forms of alcohol, liquor, beer andwine, after it was suggested that the new curfew only apply to beer.

The Liquor Association also pressed for more controls onillegal and bootleg alcohol. At the end of August 2009, revenue from excisetaxes on alcohol was 10.5 percent less than one year ago. The Associationblames the illegal market for the drop.

Currently, all alcoholic beverage sales must cease at 10p.m.