Top 10 most controversial alcohol laws

Alcohol legislation has never been plain sailing, sparking outrage among producers, bartenders and trade bodies on a near daily basis.

From super taxes to advertising bans, these are the top 10 most controversial alcohol laws

Restrictions over advertising, pricing and serving have long-been a point of contention among members of the drinks industry.

In the UK, the argument over a minimum pricing policy for alcohol continues, while industry members have recently applauded the government’s decision to scrap a “super tax” on booze.

In other parts of the world, Russia went completely dark when it came to alcohol advertising and also imposed a contentious sanction on Ukrainian vodka imports.

Bartenders in the US have battled a debilitating “glove law” and restrictions around spirits infusions, while anti-gun supporters have hit out at recent laws passed in the country.

The Czech Republic also employed drastic measures to protect safety, while the absinthe appellation argument has died down over an over-turned GI ruling… for now.

If you can think of a particularly disgruntling alcohol law we haven’t included on this list, let us know by leaving a comment below.

Minimum pricing policy

The minimum pricing policy for alcohol, otherwise known as minimum unit pricing (MUP) has been a long-argued issue, with lawmakers praising its potential to combat excessive drinking, and industry members arguing it will simply damage trade and remain ineffective in tackling alcohol abuse.

While UK government’s plans to introduce the measure were dropped in July 2013 amid mounting industry and consumer criticism, the Scottish government passed the legislation in May 2012.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), a vocal opponent to the policy, launched legal action against Scotland’s MUP, claiming that the policy contravenes EU trading laws. A judge throw out the challenge in May 2013, but the SWA launched an appeal which was recently referred to the EU Court of Justice. The case continues.

Russia’s alcohol advertising ban

At the start of last year, Russia implemented a complete ban on advertising for alcoholic drinks. The move by the Kremlin began five years previously when advertisements were banned from featuring people or animals.

It was part of a larger initiative to combat Russia’s spiralling alcohol problems, which mean 25% of Russian men die before the age of 55 due to vodka consumption.

Other anti-alcohol laws implemented in recent years include a series of tax hikes and limits on alcohol retailers, while a bill has been proposed to ban all websites which sell alcohol.

Only a few months after Russia’s outright alcohol advertising ban was implemented, South African politicians revealed they were planning similar action.

UK tax escalator

The UK’s automatic tax escalator on alcohol has been widely criticised since its implementation in 2008. The measure, which has seen duties rise 2% above the rate of inflation, was scrapped for the beer industry in 2013.

Described as a “super tax”, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA), SWA, and the TaxPayers’ Alliance joined together to launch the Call Time on Duty campaign to lobby UK Chancellor George Osborne to repeal the measure with regards to wine and spirits.

Osborne clearly listened and binned the tax escalator during his 2014 Budget, and also announced that duty on spirits would be frozen – largely seen as a sweetener for the Scotch industry in the run-up to Scotland’s independence referendum.

Absinthe appellation

The decision by the government in Switzerland to register absinthe as a Swiss product, giving absinthes produced in the Val-de-Travers region a protected geographical indication (GI), sparked outrage among European producers.

Since absinthe produced by any other country would not be allowed for sale within Switzerland, nor any other country recognising the Swiss GI, producers from other regions appealed the decision.

However, just this month the Swiss federal administrative court overruled the appellation, claiming the green spirit is a generic product that can be made anywhere in the world.

Absinthe producers across the world are currently negotiating a blanket definition for absinthe, to register the spirit as a recognised product within the EU.

Czech Republic prohibition

In September 2012, the Czech Republic undertook the drastic measure of banning the sale and export of spirits with an abv of over 20% following the deaths of 30 people from drinking poisonous alcohol.

The toxic vodka and rum was laced with methanol and sold cheaply at street stands and markets.

Though the emergency measure was largely accepted as necessary, both domestic and imported sales were affected due to the importance of the Czech Republic in the eastern European region.

In particular, the blanket ban of all spirits sales within the Czech Republic was described as “dangerous” and “counter-productive” by the European Spirits Organisation (CEPS), which has appealed to the government for an immediate lift. The ban was partially lifted in October 2012.

Bartender glove law

Earlier this year, California state officials introduced an amended food safety law which meant bartenders working in the region could be forced to wear disposable gloves to garnish their drinks, sparking outrage among the mixing community.

Many opponents said the ban disrupts hand-washing routines, generates unnecessary waste of disposable gloves and restricts them in completing their work to a high standard.

Following a petition launched by bartenders, the law was quashed in July by the bill’s author, Assemblyman Richard Pan.

Guns allowed into restaurant bars

The US is often criticised to its somewhat loose gun laws, with handlers proximity to alcohol often a point of controversy.

In May this year, Louisiana lawmakers passed a new piece of legislation that allows guns to be taken into alcohol-serving restaurants, while just last week Texas revealed plans to allow alcohol to be served at gun shows.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) condemned the proposal, claiming that the changes could have a “devastating impact” and “actually end these events as we know them”.

New South Wales serving restrictions

A number of measures have been implemented by politicians in the Australian state of New South Wales this year in order to curtail violent behaviour in the region.

Liquor shops in the state are now be required to close at 10pm, while nightclubs in popular nightlife area Kings Cross, in Sydney, will be banned from admitting punters after 1.30am or serve drinks after 3am.

Efforts moved forward when in May bars in central Sydney were banned from serving shots, doubles and pre-mixed drinks after midnight.

However, numerous bar and club owners said their businesses were being unfairly penalised, and a number of politicians said they were concerned the legislation would simply move violent behaviour into the streets and suburbs.

Russia bans Ukrainian vodka

Just last week Russia announced its ban on imports of Ukrainian vodka and beer, apparently in a bid to protect consumer rights after “numerous violations” were detected.

The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Control, Rospotrebnadzor, ruled that alcoholic beverages produced by Global Spirits-owned Ukrainian Distribution Company, a major vodka distributor, should not be imported into the country, claiming that its products did not correspond to the volume fraction of alcohol and organoleptic characteristics.

Controversy followed the decision amid mounting tensions between Russia, Ukraine and the west over Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, Rospotrebnadzor said all lab tests were carried out by Russian and internationally-accredited centres.

Alberta spirits infusions ban

Bartenders in Alberta, California, are particularly disgruntled by a law which prohibits them from infusing their own spirits, thus limiting their creativity.

According to the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, “it is prohibited to adulterate or alter liquor in any way. Nothing may be added (including ice, mixes or flavouring agents) until the liquor is used to prepare a drink requested by a patron.”

While the legislation was reviewed two years ago, the Commission ruled that it should remain to ensure consumers know exactly what they are drinking.