Govt bans alcohol at public functions, private parties

Published On: February 22, 2017 12:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Feb 22: The government has adopted a policy of prohibiting the consumption of alcohol at public functions and at weddings and other parties.

The National Policy 2017 for regulatiung and controlling liquor formulated by the Ministry of Health (MoH) was approved by the cabinet on Monday. The policy has provisioned the prohibition of liquor at public functions, wedding parties and other occasions.

The distribution and consumption of alcoholic products will be completely restricted at functions organized by the government and by public bodies, according to MoH. “Alcohol cannot be sold in retail shops from 5AM to 7PM,” it is stated in the policy. “A buyer will not be allowed to purchase more than one liter of liquor per day.”

The government plans to form a separate network to monitor implementation of these rules, according to  MoH. “Persons below the age of 21 and pregnant women will not be allowed to buy any liquor,” it said. 

“In a bid to implement the policy, the required  legal provisions will be brought in soon,” said Raju Katuwal, legal advisor to Health Ministor Gagan Thapa. “The policy was brought in to discourage drinking by persons affected by heart and liver disease or cancer,” he said adding, “The consumption of liquor can cause domestic violence, road accidents and suicides.”

Four percent of youths in the world die of liquor consumption, which is the eighth biggest cause of death, according to WHO.


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