Alcohol Sales and Advertising Tightened in Latvia

Text Susanna Poikela
Photo Clam Lo / Pexels

Lithuania has set the tone for Latvia in deciding how much alcohol should be available to the public. As a Catholic country, for example, Lithuanian shops are not allowed to sell alcohol after 15:00 on public holidays.

In Latvia, alcohol sales hours changed last August when Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri decided that Latvians were indulging too much in alcohol. Now, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased until 20:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 18:00 on Sundays.

Estonia remains the most lenient of the three Baltic countries, as customers can still buy alcohol every day until 22:00.

In Latvia, alcohol can no longer be offered with loyalty programme discounts, bundled pricing for multiple products, or as part of special offers. Advertising alcohol prices and discounts is prohibited both in print and digital media, as well as at points of sale. Sales locations must display clear warnings about the health risks of alcohol, and age restrictions.

Additionally, alcohol may no longer be given as a free gift or compensation. A new regulation also bans alcohol sales near slot machines and gaming tables in arcades, to prevent alcohol from contributing to gambling addiction, and to avoid increased alcohol consumption while playing.

In Estonia, alcohol advertising has been more tightly regulated for some time, but store sales hours have so far remained unchanged. Cheers!

Sources: Iltalehti, ERR, Maaleht 

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