Alcohol law
Common alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, (hard) cider, and distilled spirits (e.g., vodka, rum, gin).
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.
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.
[2][3] 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.
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.
[9] 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.
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.
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.
prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages either entirely or for its Muslim citizens because they are considered haram (forbidden) in Islam.
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.
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.
[24] The only legal alcohol in Iran is home production for recognized non-Muslim minorities such as Armenians, Assyrians, and Zoroastrians.
Parts ruled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant completely banned alcohol, with a death penalty.
Major cities had a culture of drinking, and alcohol was readily available until the 1970s when prohibition was introduced for Muslim citizens.
[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.
[35] 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.
[40][41] Underage drinking and drunk driving are the most prevalent alcohol-specific offenses in the United States[40] and a major problem in many, if not most, countries worldwide.
Additionally, they fall under different jurisdiction than other consumables in many countries, with highly specific regulations and licensing on alcohol content, methods of production, and retail and restaurant sales.
[46] In history, the Whiskey Rebellion was caused by the introduction of an alcohol tax to fund the newly formed U.S. federal government.
[citation needed] The illegal (i.e., unlicensed) production of liquor in the United States is commonly referred to as "bootlegging."
Illegally produced liquor (popularly called "moonshine" or "white lightning") is not aged and contains a high percentage of alcohol.
The opposition, Scottish Labour, refused to support the legislation because the Act failed to claw back an estimated £125m windfall profit from alcohol retailers.
The state-run vendor is called Systembolaget in Sweden, Vinmonopolet in Norway, Alko in Finland, Vínbúð in Iceland, and Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins in the Faroe Islands.
These monopolies have had success in the past, but since joining the European Union it has been difficult to curb the importation of liquor, legal or illegal, from other EU countries.
Government control and supervision of the sale of alcohol was a compromise devised in the 1920s between "drys" and "wets" for the purpose of ending Prohibition in Canada.
Exceptions often exist for brewpubs (pubs which brew their own beer) and wineries, which are allowed to sell their products directly to consumers.
