Alcohol law

Alcohol laws are laws relating to manufacture, use, being under the influence of and sale of alcohol (also known formally as ethanol) or alcoholic beverages. Common alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, (hard) cider, and distilled spirits (e.g., vodka, rum, gin). Definition of alcoholic beverage varies internationally, e.g., the United States defines an alcoholic beverage as "any beverage in liquid form which contains not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume".^[1] Alcohol laws can restrict those who can produce alcohol, those who can buy it (often with minimum age restrictions and laws against selling to an already intoxicated person), when one can buy it (with hours of serving and/or days of selling set out), labelling and advertising, the types of alcoholic beverage that can be sold (e.g., some stores can only sell beer and wine), where one can consume it (e.g., drinking in public is not legal in many parts of the US), what activities are prohibited while intoxicated (e.g., drunk driving), and where one can buy it. In some cases, laws have even prohibited the use and sale of alcohol entirely.

Temperance movement

The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence (teetotalism), with leaders emphasizing alcohol's negative effects on health, personality, and family life. Typically the movement promotes alcohol education, as well as demands new laws against the selling of alcoholic drinks, or those regulating the availability of alcohol, or those completely prohibiting it. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Temperance Movement became prominent in many countries, particularly English-speaking and Scandinavian ones, and it led to Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933.

Alcohol laws by country

Alcohol licensing laws by country

Prohibition

Outright prohibition of alcohol

Some countries forbid alcoholic beverages or have forbidden them in the past. People trying to get around prohibition turn to smuggling of alcohol – known as bootlegging or rum-running – or make moonshine, a distilled beverage in an unlicensed still.

Canada

Canada imposed prohibition at the beginning of the 20th century, but repealed it in the 1920s.^[2]^[3]

India

In India, manufacture, sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Manipur and Nagaland,^[4] as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. Prohibition has become controversial in Gujarat, following a July 2009 incident in which widespread poisoning resulted from alcohol that had been sold illegally.^[5]

All Indian states observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions depending on the popularity of the festival in that region. Dry days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is banned, although consumption is permitted. Dry days are also observed on voting days. Dry days are fixed by the respective state government. National holidays such as Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanthi (2 October) are usually dry days throughout India.

Nordic countries

Two Nordic countries (Finland and Norway) had a period of alcohol prohibition in the early 20th century.

In Sweden, prohibition was heavily discussed, but never introduced, replaced by strict rationing and later by more lax regulation, which included allowing alcohol to be sold on Saturdays.

Following the end of prohibition, government alcohol monopolies were established with detailed restrictions and high taxes. Some of these restrictions have since been lifted. For example, supermarkets in Finland were allowed to sell only fermented beverages with an alcohol content up to 4.7% ABV, but Alko, the government monopoly, is allowed to sell wine and spirits. The alcohol law in Finland was changed in 2018, allowing grocery stores to sell beverages with an alcohol content up to 5.5% ABV.^[6]^[7]^[8] This is also the case with the Norwegian Vinmonopolet and the Swedish Systembolaget (though in Sweden the limit for allowed ABV in supermarkets is 3.5%.)

Philippines

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the Commission on Elections can impose a prohibition on the sale and purchasing of alcoholic and intoxicating drinks on the election day and the day before. Certain establishments catering to foreigners can obtain an exemption.^[9]

United States

Detroit police inspecting equipment found in a clandestine brewery during the Prohibition era

In the United States, there was an attempt from 1919 to 1933 to eliminate the drinking of alcoholic beverages by means of a national prohibition of their manufacture and sale. This period became known as the Prohibition era. During this time, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States made the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the United States.

Prohibition led to the unintended consequence of causing widespread disrespect for the law, as many people procured alcoholic beverages from illegal sources. In this way, a lucrative business was created for illegal producers and sellers of alcohol, which led to the development of organized crime. As a result, Prohibition became extremely unpopular, which ultimately led to the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933 via the adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.

Prior to national Prohibition, beginning in the late 19th century, many states and localities had enacted Prohibition within their jurisdictions. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some localities (known as dry counties) continue to ban the sale of alcohol, but often not possession or consumption.

Between 1832 and 1953, US federal law prohibited the sale of alcohol to Native Americans.^[10] The federal legislation was repealed in 1953,^[11] and within a few years, most tribes passed their own prohibition laws. As of 2007, 63% of the federally recognized tribes in the lower 48 states had legalized alcohol sales on their reservations.^[12]

Majority-Muslim countries

Some majority-Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, etc. prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages either entirely or for its Muslim citizens because they are considered haram (forbidden) in Islam.^[13]^[14]^[15] Alcohol was illegal in Sudan but, it was legalized for non-Muslims in July 2020. Other Muslim countries have it either illegal in certain parts or by non-Muslims.^[16]

Afghanistan

Alcohol is completely illegal in Afghanistan. Alcohol, especially wine, was popular for thousands of years in region currently known as Afghanistan. The Taliban banned alcohol during its rule from 1996 to 2001 as well as after the Afghan government collapsed in 2021. Prior to the collapse of the Afghan government, alcohol licenses were given to journalists and tourists and bringing up to 2 liters (½ gallon) was legal. There does however remain a large black market for alcohol in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul and Herat.^[17]

Algeria

What is now known as Algeria has been known for its wine for thousands of years.^{[citation needed]} In Algeria, it is illegal to drink alcohol in public. Alcohol can be drunk in restaurants, bars and hotels.^[18]

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, alcohol is illegal for Muslims. It is legal for non-Muslims to drink with a permit. It is only legal for Muslims "under medical circumstances" with a doctor's permit. In 2022, the laws were revised to allow hotels, restaurants, and outlets that serve food as well as display and sell alcohol to apply for liquor sale licenses. Those over 21 can apply for a drinking permit, while Muslims must get a prescription from a doctor with at least an associate professor rank.^[19]

Egypt

Ancient Egypt was widely known for its beer. In Egypt, drinking alcohol is illegal in public as well as shops and sales are banned for Muslims during Ramadan. Alcohol is legal in bars, hotels and tourist facilities approved by the Minister of Tourism.^[20]^[21]

Indonesia

Alcohol is legal in Indonesia with the exception of Aceh.^[22]

Iran

Prior to the establishment of the Islamic republic, alcohol was accessible in Iran. Ancient Persia was known for its wine and it was even common for Saffarid and Samanid rulers. After the Iranian revolution in 1979, alcohol became completely illegal for Muslims, however there is a major black market and underground scene for alcohol. A popular moonshine is Aragh sagi, distilled from raisins.^[23] Smuggling alcohol into Iran is highly illegal and is punishable by death.^[24] The only legal alcohol in Iran is home production for recognized non-Muslim minorities such as Armenians, Assyrians, and Zoroastrians. The Jewish community in Iran is also allowed to produce and drink its own wine for the Sabbath.^[25]

Iraq

Now known as Iraq, this region is one of the oldest producers of beer. Buying alcohol is especially prevalent in larger cities by shops owned by Christians. Parts ruled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant completely banned alcohol, with a death penalty. In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a law banning alcohol, fining 25 million Iraqi dinars, however, it is unclear how it can be enforced and it could be struck down by the Supreme Court. The president at the time, Fuad Masum called for the law to be revised.^[26]

Jordan

Alcohol is legal in Jordan, however public drinking is illegal. Restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. serve alcohol legally.^[27]

Malaysia

Alcohol is mostly legal in Malaysia with the exceptions of Kelantan and Terengganu for Muslims.^[28]

Morocco

Although alcohol is legal in Morocco, it is illegal to drink in public. Alcohol can be drunk in hotels, bars and licensed tourist areas. There is also a separate section in supermarkets for alcohol.^[29]

Pakistan

After its independence in 1947, Pakistani law was fairly liberal regarding liquor laws. Major cities had a culture of drinking, and alcohol was readily available until the 1970s when prohibition was introduced for Muslim citizens. However it remains widely available in urban Pakistan through bootleggers and also through the diplomatic staff of some minor countries.^[30] Advertising alcohol isn't illegal, although cultural taboos often prevent people from talking about it in public.^[31] Foreigners and non-Muslims are less likely to be barred from buying alcohol and some local producers with special licenses will even assist them with the purchase.^[32]^[33]^{[better source needed]}

Somalia

Alcohol is illegal in both Somalia and the autonomous Somaliland.^[34] During the Italian Somalia period, rum was produced and continued until the fall of Siad Barre's government in 1991.

Sudan

Alcohol is illegal for Muslims in Sudan. In 2020, Sudan legalized private consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims.^[35]

Syria

Alcohol is completely legal in Syria, however in parts ruled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, it was illegal with a penalty of death.^[36]

Tunisia

Alcohol is completely legal in Tunisia, however, sales are banned on Fridays as well as during Ramadan.^[37]

United Arab Emirates

Prior to 2020, a license was required to handle alcohol, whether it be drinking, selling or transporting. It was illegal for Muslims to drink before. Alcohol is completely illegal in the emirate of Sharjah. In 2020, the license requirement was removed for authorized areas.^[38]

Yemen

Alcohol is illegal in Yemen. Prior to the Yemeni Civil War, it was legal for tourists in hotels in the cities of Aden and Sana'a.^[39]

Drunk driving laws

Most countries have drunk driving laws which limit how much alcohol a person can consume before driving a car on a road. The permitted blood alcohol content threshold ranges from 0.0% to 0.08%.

Punishments for violation include fines, temporary or permanent loss of driver's license, and imprisonment. Some jurisdictions have similar prohibitions for drunk sailing, drunk bicycling, and even drunk rollerblading. In many places in the United States, it is also illegal to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Prohibition of drinking alcohol in public places

A sign prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in a public place in Victoria, Australia

Americas

Barbados

Barbados maintains 16 years of age as when a person is legally able to consume alcohol in public. Although being disorderly while intoxicated is illegal and the Barbados Police Force can be asked to evict drunken individuals from public establishments.^[40]

Brazil

In Brazil, it is legal and usually socially acceptable to drink alcohol in public areas. Being publicly intoxicated is a misdemeanor, but laws are rarely, if ever, enforced.

Chile

In Chile, it is illegal to drink alcohol in any public place or unlicensed facilities. The law may or may not be enforced, depending on the location, time of the day and the behavior of the offender.

Penalties may include the confiscation or seizure of the alcoholic beverage, fines or arrest.

United States

Drinking alcohol in public places, such as streets and parks, is against the law in most of the United States, though there is no specific federal law that forbids the consumption of alcohol in public.^{[citation needed]} Moreover, even when a state (such as Nevada, Louisiana, or Missouri) has no such ban, the vast majority of its cities and counties do have it. Some cities allow it in a specified area such as on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, or during public festivals. Two notable exceptions are New Orleans, Louisiana, and Butte, Montana which allow public consumption of alcoholic beverages anywhere in the city.^{[citation needed]}

Southeast Asia

Singapore

From 1 April 2015, public drinking was banned from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.^[41]

Additional restrictions on public drinking are applied to Geylang and Little India which are declared Liquor Control Zones. The additional restrictions for Geylang and Little India are from 10:30 p.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. on Mondays and from 7 p.m. on the day before public holidays to 7 a.m. on the day after the public holiday. Retailers within the Liquor Control Zones are not allowed to sell takeaway liquor from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays (except on the day before public holidays and the day of public holidays) and from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends, on the day before public holidays and on the day of public holidays. Retailers and F&B outlets are not allowed to sell liquor from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.^{[citation needed]}

Europe

Restrictions by country

According to data from the World Health Organization, drinking in public is regulated in the European countries for which data was provided as follows:^[42]

Educational buildings:
- ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
- partial restriction: Belgium, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Sweden, UK
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany
- no restrictions: Greece, UK
Government offices:
- ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
- partial restriction: France, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden
- no restrictions: Estonia, Greece, Luxembourg, UK
Healthcare establishments:
- ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia,
- partial restriction: Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden
- no restrictions: Denmark, Greece, UK
Leisure events:
- ban:
- partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden,
- no restrictions: Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain, UK
Parks and streets:
- ban: Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania
- partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, UK
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden
- no restrictions: Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg
Public transport:
- ban: Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Romania, Slovakia,
- partial restriction: Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, UK
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany,
- no restrictions: Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain
Places of worship:
- ban: Cyprus, Finland, Romania
- partial restriction: France, Portugal
- voluntary/self restricted: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Sweden
- no restrictions: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, UK
Sporting events:
- ban: Romania, Slovenia, Spain
- partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherland, UK
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, German, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden
- no restrictions: Denmark, Estonia, Luxembourg
Workplaces:
- ban: Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
- partial restriction: Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain
- voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, UK
- no restrictions: Estonia, Greece, Luxembourg

Legend: ban = the consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law, violation may result in punishment. partial restriction = in some states, regions, municipalities or cities the consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law; or the consumption is restricted at certain places but not generally prohibited. voluntary/self-restricted = the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited by law, but (some) establishments may have own regulations prohibiting or regulating the consumption of alcohol voluntarily. no restrictions = the consumption of alcohol is legal.

Legal drinking age

Most countries have prescribed a legal drinking age which prohibits the purchase of alcohol by minors. Most countries also prohibit the consumption of alcohol to minors. Some countries have a tiered structure that limits the sale of stronger alcoholic drinks to older adults (typically based on the percentage of ABV) Other restrictions that some countries impose is based on the place in which alcohol is consumed, such as in the home, in a restaurant, or in a bar. The age at which these restrictions come to an end varies significantly from country to country, as does the degree to which it is enforced, which can also vary within a country.

North and Central America

Minimum age to purchase alcohol in North America as of 2020:

Minimum age of 21 years

Minimum age of 19 years

Minimum age of 18 years

For further details see table below.

Minimum age to purchase alcohol in Central America and the Caribbean as of 2015:

Minimum age of 18 years

Minimum age of 16 years

For further details see table below.