Spoons give Heineken a kick

[Qs]

I don't think anyone would argue that alcohol doesn't bring with it quite a few problems for society but I seriously can't see how looking for a higher minimum than €2.50 in a pub is going to help. People can still get cheaper alcohol in supermarkets. Not to mention that drinking pints is a slower, safer way to drink than drinking spirits or even wine. Of course you don't hear the prohibitionist FGers asking for minimum pricing on glasses of wine in the pub.

Minimum pricing is simply an attack on the poor anyway. If alcohol is such a terrible thing then make stricter rules that effect everyone, even the well off.

[cruiscinlan]

You can get great beers over there and much cheaper prices than here, but you have to get to the off license I'm the early evening otherwise it's closed, almost like office hours.

What!  Sweden cheap!  Its incredibly dear there for alcohol especially spirits, the Systembolgaet closes at 7pm.  Despite the high prices and restrictions on availability they have the same problems with alcohol as Ireland and the UK.

Like liquor control boards in the various US states and Canada its a hangover from an era of very heavy state regulation and Prohibition; are gold mines for those who run the monopolies, and awful news for consumers.

[Jonnycheech]

I lived in Sweden for a few months and the system they have is a nightmare for the consumer. As noted it is not cheap and you have to bust a ball sack to get to the systembolagaet before it closes. I think they opened for a few hours on a Sat morn and the set-up did not discourage drinking as you would see Swedes with shopping trollies full of booze on Friday evening/Sat morning stocking up for the weekend.