The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said it has “continued with its discussions with Government in order that the revised regulations concerning the sale of alcohol through the so called bottle shops are concluded and published.” The MHRA continued, it “is also engaged in talks with Government regarding a revision of the regulations governing the sale of alcohol to minors. MHRA stressed that in order to properly address the problem of ease of access to alcohol, especially to minors; the regulations need to be sufficiently revised and effectively enforced.”

“Contrary to what has been stated, uncontrolled behaviour, particularly in areas of entertainment, is often fuelled by excessive alcohol consumption as well as drug consumption. The ease of access to alcohol and affordability especially to minors, is a major cause for disorderliness. In fact the European Commission is currently examining a number of factors following a European Alcohol and Health Forum held last April, and has just commissioned a study to evaluate affordability issues and access to alcohol,” MHRA said

“We have had to get accustomed to seeing youths getting drunk during the night, making scenes in the streets in Paceville and nearby, to the determent of residents and other law abiding citizens frequenting the areas. As a result of this problem, Malta has also suffered a lot of bad publicity in the international media. It is of no surprise that recent statistics indicate that Maltese youths rank high when it comes to use of alcohol. As previously stated the MHRA feels that the change in legislation in 2006 which facilitated the sale of alcohol through the so called bottle shops, has contributed to the situation we are in today,MHRA stated.

The MHRA concluded, that it is “insisting that penalties are raised substantially to a level that constitutes a real deterrent as had been announced by government in May this year. The fact that penalties were a mere pittance at just €116, explains why so far so many did not hesitate to break the law. The regulations that were concluded in March but then suspended by government, took place after a very long process of consultation with stakeholders and MHRA feels that it is now high time that these are concluded, published and enforced.”

Permalink: MHRA pursues regulations governing the sale of alcohol