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.
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