Alcohol, Estonia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Retail

According to the decision, approved on Thursday, retail trade of alcohol will be prohibited in stores, whose entrance is located less than 50 meters away from the main entrance of a primary school, secondary school or vocational training institution. At sporting events, sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed only in a specially designated area.

In the territory of petrol stations, strong liquor sales will be prohibited in the future, in order to reduce the number of accidents, said Deputy Mayor of Tallinn Merike Martinson.

"While in many European countries, there are 4-5 alcoholic beverages sales outlets per 100,000 inhabitants, in Estonia there are 195 and in Tallinn 440," said Martinson and added: "Facts show that the consumption of alcohol and accidents caused by that has reached a dangerous level and something needs to be done."

The City Council also decided to increase the total space a store selling strong alcohol is required to have. While according to the previous rules, strong liquor sale was allowed in retail stores, with a total area of at least 75 square meters, the new regulation increases the minimum total area to 150 square meters.

Martinson said that this requirement helps to limit, in particular, opening small shops selling alcohol, which are often located in basements of apartment buildings or in the vicinity of childcare institutions.

According to estimations, 124 sales outlets trading with alcohol lose their trading rights.

The Deputy Mayor believes that the grace period given before the new rules will apply, July 1, next year, is enough to restructure sales.