Alcohol, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

As reported, Saeima approved amendments to the Alcoholic Beverages Retail Law in the final reading on February 25, banning sale of alcoholic beverages in stores, bars and restaurants on the first day of school, September 1. However, President Valdis Zatlers did not promulgate the amendments and returned the bill to Saeima for a second review. The president asked for an assessment of whether determining that alcoholic drinks could not be sold on this day would achieve the main aim of the legislation – to prevent minors from obtaining alcoholic drinks in any way on September 1, as well as to combat alcohol abuse among young people, writes LETA.

Zatlers also noted that the proposal to outlaw alcohol sales on September 1 was submitted and supported without consultations either with the institutions responsible for controlling alcohol sales and public order, or with retailers, who were most directly affected by the legislation in question. Calculations were also not made before the passing of the law of the effect on service providers and the national economy.