Where alcohol was banned. Scandinavian countries: monopoly as a way out

And not only to sell, but also to produce. For fans of energy drinks, this news may seem scary and even offensive.

However, if you look at world practice, a possible ban on alcoholic drinks in Russia does not look so harsh. Thus, in Belarus it is impossible to sell drinks with wormwood, in Sweden it is impossible to buy alcohol on Sundays, and in some US states there is still a prohibition law. MIR 24 plunged into the history of global alcohol prohibitions and found out in which countries a drinker might feel uncomfortable.

ICELAND

If in Russia Prohibition was imposed from above (and twice in one century), then the Icelanders themselves deprived themselves of drinking alcohol - for almost a century.

In 1908, a referendum was held in Iceland. During it, the population of the island spoke out for the introduction of Prohibition in the country, which came into force on January 1, 1915.

However, as it turned out, Icelanders could not stop drinking for more than 20 years - in 1935, a second referendum was held in the country: Icelanders admitted their mistake and spoke out for the abolition of Prohibition. Its complete abolition was not supported by sobriety advocates - at their insistence, strong beers were banned in the country. True, for some reason any beer above 2.25% was considered strong. – that is, almost all types of foam.

The ban on the sale of beer lasted in Iceland until 1989. Since then, every March 1, the day the ban was lifted, Iceland celebrates Beer Day, a national holiday in honor of which residents of the northern island make up for legislative omissions of the 20th century.

BELARUS

Gustav Flaubert believed that absinthe would kill the French army. Perhaps these words of the writer sounded somewhat exaggerated, but his prophecy almost came true, albeit on a local scale, in 1901 - then, during a fire at the Pernod distillery, all reserves of absinthe were poured into the river and soldiers of the neighboring garrison began to scoop it up from the river with their helmets , bringing himself to the maximum pacifist state. The Belarusian army is unlikely to face such a prospect.

Thus, in the Republic of Belarus the sale of absinthe in grocery stores is prohibited. At the same time, absinthe can be purchased at Duty Free and brought with you from abroad - according to the rules of the EAEU, alcoholic beverages based on wormwood are allowed to be imported into the territory of the Customs Union if the thujone content in them does not exceed 35 mg/l.

USA

Prohibition was in effect in the United States from 1920 to 1933 and is still in effect in some states today.

Residents of most counties in Texas, almost half of Mississippi counties and 83 counties in Alaska cannot purchase whiskey, beer and other popular alcoholic beverages in America in stores. They simply aren't there. In some counties in Texas, where Prohibition has been repealed, there is a more strange alcohol ban - it is recommended to drink beer while sitting, and if suddenly someone decides to drink it while standing, then in the “bugler position” it is forbidden to take more than three sips in a row. The police enforce the law.

PAKISTAN

“In Pakistan, where the strictest prohibition law is in force, five people died from moonshine poisoning,” was the headline of a major Russian news agency in 2002. However, prohibition does not apply to everyone in Pakistan - in a country of 190 million people, there are about 60 shops selling quality alcohol produced in the UK. True, in order to buy it, you must meet two conditions: not be a Muslim and obtain a “drinker’s certificate” - a special document issued by the government of the Islamic Republic for the purchase of alcohol.

SWEDEN

If Russia was going through a period of stagnation, then Sweden was going through a period of drunkenness. And more than once. Attempts to limit alcohol consumption in Sweden have been made many times. And they didn’t help - in 1766, King Frederick came to the conclusion that nothing could be done about the drunkenness of the population, and lifted all bans on moonshine.

True, the king’s decision led to famine in many families - almost all the potatoes growing on the not very fertile soil of Europe began to be used for the production of pervach and its derivatives.

Something had to be done about the drinking country, and in 1865 a state monopoly on the production of alcohol was introduced in Sweden (distilling moonshine was strictly prohibited). The manufacturer received 5% of sales income, and 95% went to local authorities, who allocated the money to fight alcoholism. In 1919, the fight against drunkenness was intensified - each Swedish family was allowed to drink no more than 4 liters of alcoholic beverages per month, and these liters could only be purchased with cards.

Photo: Alexey Verpeka (MIR MTRK)

Today, the system for selling alcohol in the Scandinavian country is more or less established, but some strange restrictions still remain - for example, in Sweden, alcohol is sold by the only retail chain that closes on Sundays, almost one hundred percent guaranteeing a sober day in any Swedish city. A similar law is in effect in Arkansas (USA), where the sale of alcohol on Sundays and Christmas is prohibited, but the ban there is associated with the civic activity of Protestant Christians.

AFRICA

In Africa, almost everything is allowed. And bans on the sale of strong alcohol do not apply there. However, Africans do not drink alcohol 40+ for another reason - a bottle of real strong alcohol costs more than a salary (if they give it at all), and local analogues of whiskey, rum and others strong drinks lead to death more often than encounters with predators.

In 2010, a major Russian business publication wrote that residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo found a way out of the situation - so as not to torture themselves low alcohol drinks and not to take risks from a surrogate, they drink... “nine” (a strong type of beer produced by the St. Petersburg plant). In 2009 alone, 2.2 million liters of “nine” were drunk in Africa. And therefore, hardly anyone is worried about the lack of alcoholic drinks on the local market in the Congo.

With a proposal to ban sales and production in Russia alcoholic energy drinks The Ministry of Finance spoke. The department's proposal has already been supported in the Federation Council. Today, a ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks is in force in 38 regions of the Russian Federation. If the new law is adopted, it will apply to the entire country.

Alexey Sinyakov

Prohibition is not a new or unique phenomenon. Even in Ancient China, restrictions were introduced on the production and consumption of alcohol. And if you think that all such decrees and regulations are a thing of the past, remember what time the sale stops alcoholic products in your region? Local authorities often take the initiative themselves, prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages in holidays and night time.

Nicholas II and the First World War

How acute the problem of alcoholism was in Tsarist Russia is evidenced by the fact that in those days it was customary to give cab drivers and waiters not “a tip,” but “a vodka.” 1913 became the most “drinking” year in the history of the country, and already in 1914 the emperor officially banned the sale of strong alcohol in shops.

From now on, drinking a glass of vodka was only possible in restaurants. It was initially assumed that this would be a temporary measure, but Russia's entry into World War I forced Prohibition to be extended until the end of hostilities. But peace never came - the Russian Empire ended earlier.

The government of the new Soviet country was in no hurry to cancel the decree of its predecessors; on the contrary, it supported the fight against drunkenness. Official reports and “ceremonial” journalists extolled this measure, enthusiastically telling how good life had become in the new sober society. They wrote that the peasants no longer beat their wives or drink away their wages in taverns, but bring every penny into the house; an atmosphere of peace and love reigns in families.

The reality, of course, was not so rosy. Number of offenses committed in the state alcohol intoxication, has decreased, it’s hard to argue with that. But on the other hand, Prohibition contributed to the critical stratification of society and the growth of discontent among the “lower classes.”

Only “ordinary” people were subject to the ban - the gentlemen did not deny themselves anything; in first-category restaurants it was still possible to order any alcohol. In addition, nobles often had their own wine cellars with collections elite alcohol. The decree was not initially aimed at them: it was not the counts and princes who staged drunken brawls in wine bars, skipped work and slept under fences. The social gap has become even wider. As a result, the ban was finally lifted only in 1923.

Another consequence of Prohibition in Tsarist-era Russia was the rise of petty fraud. We are talking about 2nd class restaurants and station tea shops. Officially, they fell under the scope of the decree, but everyone knew: there you could easily order a samovar of cognac or a bottle of supposedly mineral water(vodka). In addition, there has been a significant increase in the number food poisoning, often with fatal outcome. People drank denatured alcohol, varnishes - anything that contained even a drop of alcohol.

Mikhail Gorbachev and Prohibition in the USSR

In principle, the fight against drunkenness on the territory of the USSR never stopped - to one degree or another, restrictions always existed. However, Mikhail Sergeevich, amazed at the scale of alcohol consumption per capita, “tightened the screws” completely. On May 17, 1985, a decree “On strengthening the fight against drunkenness” was issued, and modern analysts believe that this was the beginning of the end Soviet Union. Behind anti-alcohol campaign Gorbachev himself received two nicknames: “Mineral Secretary” and “Lemonade Joe.”

A massive anti-alcohol campaign developed. Films and books were censored, precious vineyards were cut down the rarest varieties in Crimea, Moldova, and the Caucasus. Breweries and wineries closed by the thousands.

The first and main effect of this step was not the sobering of the nation, but the budget deficit - the monopoly on vodka brought up to 50% of all income from the sale of products to the treasury. The number of absenteeism from work and school increased - the wine and vodka departments only worked from 14 to 19, so we had to somehow juggle things around. Well, denatured alcohol and cologne, of course, again took center stage in the home bars of the working class, not to mention the revival of the art of moonshine.

The most popular "cocktails" of the working class were:

1. Denatured alcohol (alcohol for technical needs). The liquid was set on fire and waited until a blue flame appeared, indicating that methyl alcohol burned out (a very dubious verification method). Because of the painted skull and crossbones on the bottle of denatured alcohol, people called this swill cognac “Matrossky”, two bones.

2. Glue “BF” (aka Boris Fedorovich). To clean, a drill was lowered into a container with glue and the drill was turned on at full power. Gradually, the drill wrapped itself in adhesive, and the remaining alcohol with a nasty smell delighted drinkers.

3. Colognes and lotions. They had a more or less normal smell and taste, so they were highly valued during Prohibition. To remove impurities, a hot wire was dipped into the jar. Such cleansing only helped morally, but without this, drinking cologne was considered uncivilized.

4. Polish (liquid for finishing work). It was considered the drink of builders. To clean, add 100 grams of salt to 1 liter of polish, shake, then remove sediment and foam. Those who liked to drink the polish could be seen from afar - by their characteristic brown-violet complexion.

5. Dichlorvos and shoe polish. The most severe methods when there were no other options left. Diphlovos was usually sprayed into a mug of beer, since in addition to alcohol, it also caused toxic intoxication. Shoe polish was spread on a piece of bread. After some time, the bread absorbed the alcohol.

Prohibition in the USSR also had a positive effect: the birth rate increased, the life expectancy of men increased, people began to save more money in savings banks. However, the negative consequences more than compensated for this benefit.

Woodrow Wilson and Prohibition in the USA

Prohibition in America, in contrast to a similar project in Russia, was based not on a humanistic, but on a purely economic basis: in the conditions of the global crisis and the First World War, it was much more profitable for the States to export grain, which had sharply increased in price, than to use it for production alcohol products.

In addition, most wineries and breweries belonged to the Germans, and in the wake of the increased patriotic idea of ​​national identity, the Americans did not want to become a source of income for citizens of another country.

In 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was adopted, prohibiting the sale, production and transportation of alcohol. It is curious that President Wilson himself opposed this bill and even vetoed it, but Congress managed to bypass the presidential ban, and the amendment came into force.

The most obvious consequence of this step was the emergence of bootlegging - the smuggling of alcohol. Several large mafia clans grew up and flourished on this wave. In the famous comedy “Some Like It Hot,” you can see, tangentially, what the showdown between two bootlegging groups looked like.

Another anti-alcohol problem was corruption - the mafiosi had enough money to buy politicians and silence the police.

The third problem is that the production and consumption of moonshine has increased (such people were called moonshineers from the English moon shine - they say they engage in their dark affairs exclusively at night, in the light of the moon). Moonshine is still called “moonshine” in America.

There was also a positive effect - a decrease in the number of injuries and disasters, a decrease in individual crime (compensated by an increase in organized crime), and an improvement in the health of the nation. However, compared to negative consequences it was a drop in the ocean, especially since against the backdrop of the Great Depression, everyone was no longer interested in the war against drunkenness. In 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment successfully repealed the Eighteenth, and everything returned to normal.

Why any prohibition law is doomed to fail

Because the rule “in order for a cow to eat less and produce more milk, she needs to be fed less and milked more” does not work. Giving up your usual way of life can only be conscious, and not imposed from the outside. A person will always find a way to get what he wants, even if it means risking his life or breaking the law.

To reduce the consumption of a product (any product, not necessarily alcohol), it is not enough to prohibit people from buying it. It is necessary to radically change the consciousness of citizens so that they no longer consider this product an obligatory part of life. In the case of alcohol, this task seems virtually impossible.

Russia and America are not the only countries that have tried to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. For a long time dry laws were in force in the countries of Scandinavia, Finland, and a number of other states. The result is always the same: the rise of moonshine, smuggling, bribery and the threat of economic isolation from other countries.

In the case of Norway, for example, Prohibition had to be abolished due to the discontent of France, Italy and Spain. These countries - major wine exporters - have threatened to stop buying Norwegian fish if the Scandinavian market is not returned to them.

Ridiculous anti-alcohol laws

In terms of funny laws, of course, America is the leader, but “pearls” can be found in the legislation of any country.

New Jersey: it is prohibited to offer tobacco and alcohol to animals at the zoo (what if they agree, develop a bad habit, and then have to take them to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings).

St. Louis: You can't drink beer while sitting outside (you can stand).

Chicago: Drinking alcohol while standing on the street is prohibited (St. Louis drinkers must switch places with their Chicago counterparts).

Cleveland: You can't pass a bottle of alcohol around.

Topeka: Drinking wine from tea cups is prohibited.

California: The fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” is not included in the elementary school curriculum. In Perrault's original version, the granddaughter brought her grandmother not only pies, but also a bottle of wine, and this was enough to classify the work as propaganda of alcoholism.

Pennsylvania: A husband may not purchase alcohol without the written permission of his wife.

Bolivia: Women have the right to drink only one glass of wine in a public place.

Holland: You cannot sell beer and wine on Sunday, but you can offer the same drinks in the form of cocktails.

In many countries with a Muslim population, alcohol consumption is completely prohibited throughout the entire territory. Below we have listed a list of countries with the strictest anti-alcohol laws.

Alcohol is completely prohibited in Yemen, according to Islamic principles. Yemenis are not allowed to drink or sell alcohol in all parts of the country except Aden and Sanaa, where the drink is sold in certain permitted restaurants, hotels and nightclubs.

Non-Muslim foreigners are allowed to bring limited amounts of alcohol into the country and drink only at home.

13. United Arab Emirates (in Sharjah)

In the United Arab Emirates, alcohol is allowed to be sold under very strict regulations, with the exception of Sharjah, where it is completely prohibited. In Sharjah, only those with a government liquor license (usually non-Muslims) are allowed to carry alcohol.

In addition, such valid license holders may only consume alcohol in their own home. Consumption, purchase or any other form of alcohol consumption in public areas is strictly prohibited and violators are subject to imprisonment, flogging or other forms of punishment. In other parts of the UAE, alcohol can be sold in restaurants, hotels or other places where the seller has a valid liquor license.

Consumption of alcohol is permitted for non-Muslims, but only in their private homes or the hotels and bars they visit. No other form of alcohol consumption is permitted. Foreign tourists are allowed to bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country for personal use.

In Sudan, a war-torn country in northeast Africa, alcohol is strictly prohibited. The Islamist state has banned the production, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the country since 1983. The Liquor Prohibition Bill, passed by the Sudanese Union Socialist Party, originates from that country's mandate.

However, this ban applies primarily to Muslims; non-Muslims can drink alcohol in their private rooms. But tourists are always advised to follow and respect local rules and customs in Sudan, including alcohol consumption laws, to avoid getting into any unpleasant situation.

The laws of this Islamic country located in the Horn of Africa are very strict when it comes to implementing alcohol-related laws. Here, the production of alcohol, its trade and consumption are completely prohibited.

Although non-Muslims and foreigners are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, they must do so in their own private space. Those who disrespect Islamic laws will face severe punishment.

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the main place for all Islamic pilgrims, Mecca, is located, has a complete ban on alcohol. It is illegal to produce, import, sell and consume. Strict baggage checks are carried out at the airport to prevent alcohol from entering the country.

Those caught selling or consuming alcohol in public places will face penalties e.g. long term imprisonment or flogging. Foreigners are also advised to be extremely cautious regarding this sensitive issue and avoid alcoholic beverages while visiting Saudi Arabia.

In Pakistan, alcohol was legal for three decades after the country's independence. However, during the reign of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a ban was introduced, and after his removal from office in 1977, the ban continued to exist.

Currently, although Muslims are not allowed to manufacture, sell or consume alcoholic beverages within the country, non-Muslim minorities are allowed to apply for liquor licenses.

Permits are often granted for economic growth. Typically, 5 bottles of liquor and 100 bottles of beer are the monthly allowance for non-Muslims in the country.

In the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in Western North Africa, the possession, consumption, sale and production of alcohol is prohibited for Muslim residents.

However, non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol in their homes or in hotels and restaurants that have valid alcohol permits.

The Maldives, located in an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is a popular tourist center, famous throughout the world for its beaches and exotic resorts, where alcohol is prohibited for the local population.

Only resorts and some hotels and restaurants with special passes are allowed to sell alcohol to visitors.

Tourists visiting Libya are advised to respect local customs and rules. The laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol are quite strict here. The sale and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited.

Those who do not respect the laws and sell or consume alcohol in public are severely punished. However, they say that alcohol can easily be obtained illegally.

In Kuwait, the sale, consumption and possession of alcohol is prohibited by law. The country has a zero-tolerance policy against those who drive drunk. If at least not a large number of alcohol, the offender will be severely punished.

Drinking alcohol in public places is strictly prohibited; violating the ban can lead to imprisonment of local residents or deportation of foreigners.

In Iran, drinking alcohol is prohibited for Muslim citizens. However, the law is not as strict for non-Muslims, who are allowed to produce and consume alcohol under certain conditions. Non-Muslims are allowed to bring alcohol when entering the country.

3. India (in some states)

In India, rules and regulations related to the sale, storage and consumption of alcohol are a matter of the state. States like Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland and, more recently, Bihar have strictly prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol.

In Manipur and Lakshadweep, alcohol is prohibited locally in certain areas. Kerala also has some restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol. Other states in India do not ban alcohol.

In some places, dry days are observed during some festivals, and the whole country also observes dry days during elections or any national holidays, such as Gandhi Jayanti (birthday of Mahatma Gandhi).

In Brunei, a sovereign state in South-East Asia, consumption of alcohol in public places, as well as the sale of alcohol is prohibited. However, non-Muslim adults may carry two bottles of liquor and twelve cans of beer per person when entering the country.

They must tell customs at the airport that they are carrying alcohol. Drinking alcohol is only allowed at home.

In Bangladesh, the consumption and sale of alcohol is prohibited. However, non-Muslims living in or visiting the country are not subject to such restrictions, but only if they consume alcohol in their private space.

Some restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and bars, especially those catering to tourists, are allowed to sell alcohol.

Top 10 countries where alcohol is not only allowed, but also consumed in large quantities.

To the question: In which countries are they prohibited? alcoholic drinks? given by the author Yamil Alekberov the best answer is It is well known that Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol.
It was in Medina that the act of introducing Prohibition took place, when leather wineskins with wine were cut and their contents poured onto the ground. The hadiths said that not only the drunkard himself will be cursed, but also those who produce and sell alcohol, and that the prayers of the drunkard will not be accepted by Allah Almighty for 40 days from the moment of drinking.
It is sometimes said that the prohibition of Islam applies only to wine. Wine was the most common narcotic substance during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, and it is not surprising that the main attention was paid to wine. The Koran prohibits the consumption of all drinks that can affect the mind and health, such as infusions of grapes, honey, persimmon, barley, etc. These drinks are considered "khamr". Obviously, these include any alcoholic beverages - wine, vodka, and beer.
Now in many Islamic and Arab countries Prohibition continues to apply.
In Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Kuwait, Libya, and Sudan, alcoholic beverages are generally prohibited. In others, access is restricted for religious reasons. For example, during religious holidays and the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, alcohol is not sold in many bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the UAE, Oman, Morocco, and Qatar. Or sold after sunset. In Egypt they generally close for a month liquor stores. According to the laws of a number of Islamic countries, appearing drunk in public places is considered a serious crime, as is smuggling of alcoholic beverages.

Answer from 22 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: In which countries are alcoholic beverages prohibited?

Answer from Vyacheslav Gordeev[guru]
In some places this remains the case in Russia, but due to the attitude towards alcohol among certain nationalities
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Those who live in the northern regions of our country probably know that the indigenous inhabitants of these places (Yakuts, Nenets, Chukchi) have absolutely no tolerance for alcohol. They form a lasting link literally from the first sips of vodka or cognac. This feature has long been a topic for jokes and tales. But in fact, why can’t the Yakuts be exiled? What does this have to do with: centuries-old traditions or with the health characteristics of these peoples? On this score official medicine puts forward his version. The Yakuts and other small peoples of the Far North really shouldn’t drink alcohol, and here’s why. Despite the fact that all people on Earth are, in general, equal, there are differences in structural features. It depends on many factors: climate, heredity, and even cultural traditions. Yes, yes, existence determines not only our consciousness, but also affects our health! Thus, in some countries the culture of winemaking has been developed for thousands of years. This is Greece, Italy, southern regions Russia and the Transcaucasian countries. The indigenous inhabitants of these territories not only produced wine, but they themselves were not averse to sipping a glass or two for lunch or dinner. At the same time, drunkenness was sharply condemned. Over time, the bodies of the indigenous inhabitants of these states developed a special enzyme that breaks down ethanol. This feature is inherited. Even today, the descendants of ancient southern winemakers are able to drink wine throughout the day and not get drunk. And it is almost impossible to meet chronic alcoholics on the streets of Yerevan, Rome and Athens. Well, perhaps among foreign tourists... ===In my opinion, it’s the same with the Gilyaks - a people along the Amur and on Sakhalin.