Estonian lawmakers vote to reinstitute ban on public drinking

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Photo: Elmo Riig

The Estonian parliament on Wednesday passed with 69 votes the government-initiated bill of amendments to the Law Enforcement Act that restores the ban on public consumption of alcohol.

The law puts in place a general ban on public consumption of alcohol and non-food intoxicating substances such as perfumery products and cleaning liquids, the parliamentary press service said.

Under the amended law, alcoholic beverages can be consumed in places where they are sold for consumption on the premises and also at public events at which the local authorities have allowed retail sale of alcohol for consumption on the spot.

The law leaves local governments the right to designate places where public drinking is allowed provided it does not disturb other people, but the ban on public consumption in the vicinity of children's and health establishments remains in force.

The purpose of the amendments was to bring the regulation of public consumption of alcohol into line with society's expectations and people's customary behavior.

The law will enter into force 10 days after publication in the official gazette Riigi Teataja.

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