Lithuania's New Liquor Law Effective From Jan 01,2018

One of the heaviest drinking nations in the world is facing a severe hangover.

Lithuania's new liquor law has increased the legal drinking age from 18 to 20, banned alcohol advertising, and drastically curtailed opening hours for liquor stores. 

The law, in effect since Jan. 1,2018 has stirred major controversy in this Baltic nation of 2.9 million people.

According to the World Health Organization(WHO)Lithuanians' per-capita alcohol consumption jumped more than 22 percent in a decade — from 14.9 liters (15.7 quarts) of pure alcohol annually in 2006 to 18.2 liters (19.2 quarts) in 2016. Authorities felt drastic measures were needed.

"We had to do something about it," said Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga, the main proponent of the new legislation( Alcoholism) "makes Lithuania unattractive to foreign investments and tourism."

"Especially shocking are surveys showing that a third of our 15- and 16-year-olds consume alcohol regularly," Veryga noted.

With 36 per 100,000 people, Lithuania has the highest suicide rate in Europe, and suicide rates among alcoholics are consistently high, according to a study conducted by health specialists at Vilnius University.

"These were hard decisions," Veryga said, noting that opponents of the new law were trying "to make fools" of its supporters, including him.

Veryga became minister in late 2016 when his party — Union of Farmers and Greens Union — claimed most seats at the national elections. The party has pushed ahead with several conservative law changes in family policy, despite public protests and disagreements with coalition partners