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Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

sysselmannen.no

31–40 of 163 posts

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#32
Anyone know the reasoning? I'm assuming its attempting to prevent alcoholism? I know Greenland and Iceland (to a lesser extent) suffer somewhat perhaps due to the light and isolation being contributing factors.

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#33
post #6

Headline fooled me. To me quota usually means "you must do this much", this appears to be a limit.

Interestingly, XIX century Poland has exactly the "minimum amount consumed" kind of quotas of alcohol... It was legislated by nobles who were producing alcohol from their grain and figured they'd force peasants to but it from them, to periodically extract whatever monetary surplus the peasants (serfs) managed to build up. One of the result was of course rampant alcoholism, since the peasants now owned buckets of vodka and they figured they might as well drink it if they paid for it...

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#34
post #20
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, there are not that many tax-free places. If they didn't have quotas, there would no doubt be thriving businesses buying alcohol in Svalbard and selling it in the rest of Norway.

Transport costs might put a damper on that. Also, it sounds like it would also be subjected to import restrictions, even if it's the same country.

Smuggling is a thing, though. And transport costs tend to reduce as volume increases, and alcohol is a popular product...

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#35
post #4

Sounds rather much for one person in one month.

2 cans a beer a day would not be excessive by most standards, that would add up to 60 cans a month. 24 cans of beer consumed in one sitting would be excessive.

Is it really so common to drink alcohol every day?

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#36
post #4

Sounds rather much for one person in one month.

2 cans a beer a day would not be excessive by most standards, that would add up to 60 cans a month. 24 cans of beer consumed in one sitting would be excessive.

I almost feel the opposite: drinking every day is too much. One night out once a month is okay. (not drinking 24 bottles a night, though, except when celebrating Russ)

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 cans a beer a day would not be excessive by most standards, that would add up to 60 cans a month. 24 cans of beer consumed in one sitting would be excessive.

I almost feel the opposite: drinking every day is too much. One night out once a month is okay. (not drinking 24 bottles a night, though, except when celebrating Russ)

Same here.

Last time I drank alcohol was pre-COVID. I only drank 1-3 a month and only 2-4 beers and 2-4 shots.

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#39
post #24
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Requiring citizens to keep arms was actually quite common up until the 1800s, with some municipalities actually purchasing firearms for residents, with the expectation that they would be paid back as was manageable.

In which countries?

Nearly all of them, at least up through the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

I believe it became less popular with the popular revolutions of 1848 and the advent of universal conscription.

Re: Svalbard's Alcohol Quotas

#40
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find the law that requires you to carry a firearm more interesting: https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/weapon/ Being a remote town in the far north with unusual day/nighy cycles does require some strange laws to keep everyone safe and sane I guess. Also, Tom has been there ofc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJ-ze2-SqU

> I find the law that requires you to carry a firearm more interesting That's not quite what it says. Firearms are only a recommendation. > Due to the polar bear threat in Svalbard, anyone travelling outside the settlements must be equipped with appropriate means of frightening and chasing off polar bears. > The Governor of Svalbard also recommends having firearms with you.

There are levels of risk I am not prepared to accept. I'll carry an assault shotgun, an assault rifle, and a dedicated ammunition-hauling dog with me if I go outside a town in Svalbard.
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