Limited access to alcohol to diminish adverse consequences: Lithuanian PM

Measures aimed at limiting access to alcoholic beverages in Lithuania will help diminish the negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, the Baltic country's Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Thursday.

The Lithuanian prime minister made the comments when speaking about changes to the law regarding the sale of alcohol that are currently being debated in the country's parliament (Seimas).

"The government, while submitting its conclusions, tried to balance the various interests and common sense, and the final goal is to limit the access of alcohol and reduce the consequences which we are facing, such as high alcohol-related mortality, disease, depression, and domestic violence," Skvernelis said in an interview with local broadcaster Ziniu Radijas.

The prime minister was speaking against the backdrop of heated discussions within Lithuanian society, and amongst politicians and media, due to the government proposals, which are currently being discussed at a committee level in the Seimas. Plans to ban alcohol sales at public events and outdoor cafes caused controversial reactions in the public and business groups.

"It looks strange when such a big significance is given to this question. I believe this uproar started when the draft law reached Seimas' committees, probably some associations, groups of interest, and business representatives see some risks to their activities," the head of government said.

Skvernelis added that only implementing restrictions and bans was not sufficient, but that the suggested amendments represented the first step in dealing with the problem.

Some of the measures prepared by the Ministry of Health included raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 20; limiting alcohol sales times to 8 p.m. on working days and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays except for public catering places; and restricting advertising, news agency Elta reported.

Back in April, Skvernelis said he expected arduous discussions on the proposals in parliament.

Currently, Lithuania already restricts alcohol selling hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. According to the existing law, alcohol is not sold on Sept. 1, the first official day of the new school year.

Starting from January 2016, selling alcohol is banned at petrol stations in Lithuania.

In recent years, the Lithuanian authorities have been considering measures aimed at restricting access to alcohol due to concerns of alcohol abuse in the Baltic country. Endit