To reduce alcohol consumption nationwide, the Saeima on Thursday, 9 January, adopted amendments to the Law on the Circulation of Alcoholic Beverages in the third and final reading. These amendments, among other things, introduce new restrictions on alcohol sales hours effective from 1 August.

Latvia's alcohol consumption levels are the highest among both European Union (EU) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, according to the authors of the draft law. The amendments aim to restrict the availability, advertising, and marketing of alcoholic beverages.

The amendments limit the hours during which alcoholic beverages can be purchased in retail outlets, including websites and mobile applications. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol can be purchased from 10:00 to 20:00, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. These changes will take effect on 1 August.

Retailers who, by this date, hold licences for retail alcohol sales in premises where operating hours exceed the specified restrictions must submit an application to the State Revenue Service for licence re-registration by 31 December.

To restrict impulsive purchases of alcoholic beverages, alcohol ordered through a website or mobile application can be delivered to the buyer no sooner than six hours after the order is placed. Additionally, to reduce impulsive alcohol purchases, the amendments prohibit promotional activities that offer multiple alcoholic beverage units at a lower price, as well as discounts on alcoholic beverages within consumer loyalty programmes.

The advertising of alcohol prices and discounts will be prohibited in press publications, printed advertising materials, and publications in cinemas, on websites, online, via postal services (including email), and in retail outlets where alcoholic beverages are sold. Retail outlets will be required to display a clearly visible warning stating that alcohol consumption has a negative impact on health and that it must not be sold to minors, nor may they purchase, consume, or possess it.

Further prohibitions are defined for sales (including through distance contracts) and in-service provision locations, whether or not they hold a special licence (including beauty salons, hairdressers, wedding salons, electronics stores, car accessory shops, and others), from offering alcoholic beverages for free, as gifts, or as compensation.

In gambling venues, the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption at slot machines, card tables, dice tables, roulette tables, or other gambling equipment will be prohibited. The purpose of this provision is to separate two addiction-inducing activities, as stated in the draft law's explanatory note.

Saeima Press Service