Estonian government to restore ban on public drinking

Estonia will re introduce laws to ban drinking alcohol in public places, Prime Minister Taavi Roivas has said,.

"The purpose of the law amendment is that while currently, public consumption of alcohol is allowed everywhere and municipalities have the right to impose public drinking ban areas, then we want to restore the general ban on public alcohol consumption and give municipalities the right to establish areas where drinking alcohol is allowed," Roivas told the Postimees daily newspaper.

Rõivas said that the public reaction to the law amendment that allowed public consumption of alcohol shows clearly that the public is not satisfied with such an arrangement.

Estonia's government aims to pursue a strict alcohol policy, Roivas said adding that there was unanimity in the Estonian government on the issue.