Governemnt takeover of Off-licences

charlierunkle

I was talking to an Indian friend last night from Chennai and he was telling me the biggest source of government revenue was from governemnt owned off-licences. What would people think of that here, you think it might be a good way to raise money?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2011-05-15/content_2616336.html

petes

Do we not already pay enough tax on what we buy in an off licence?

sbsquarepants

The do it that way in Sweden, as far as i know.
I'm sure our shower of clowns would find a way to fúck it up though!

AlkalineAcid

In some countries the government owns a monopoly on off-licences so alcohol tends to be very expensive. It may raise money but people wouldn't like it.

onelessprob

All of canada outside of Alberta has state owned off-licences, with most of them being monopolies.

GLaDOS

AlkalineAcid wrote: »

In some countries the government owns a monopoly on off-licences so alcohol tends to be very expensive. It may raise money but people wouldn't like it.

Yeah my friend's brother said he lived somewhere where they did that (think it was either Denmark or Finland) and he said prices were ridiculous. Though it might have only applied to spirits.

minidazzler

Interesting idea, but I really only posted because you have an awesome username.

super_furry

Noticed that when I was in Canada they were all govenment owned, and I actually think it could be a good idea. Looking at it practically, there'd be competition problems in making it a monopoly but even if they were to open their own chain, it could be a big revenue spinner.

Dionysus

sbsquarepants wrote: »

The do it that way in Sweden, as far as i know.

This. It worked well too when I lived there and alcohol was suitably expensive enough to encourage people to do something more productive with their lives than get ossified.

---

Systembolaget explained

What is Systembolaget?

Systembolaget is a nationwide, government-owned chain of off-licences in Sweden. Systembolaget stores are the only places in Sweden apart from bars, restaurants and night-clubs where strong alcoholic beverages can be purchased.

When was Systembolaget introduced?

In the second half of the 18th century, following a series of unsuccessful attempts to regulate the consumption of alcohol in Sweden, all restrictions were removed by the king. This led to a rapid increase in the consumption and home production of alcohol. In 1830, the first society for moderation in drinking was started in Stockholm, and in 1850 alcohol first began to be regulated by the state. During and following the First World War, strict rationing was in place with the quantities of alcohol which could be purchased limited. This was abolished in 1955 when Systembolaget stores were introduced. In 1965 private stores were permitted to sell beer up to 4.5% abv, but this was reduced to 3.5% in 1977 following a dramatic rise in beer consumption.

Does Systembolaget have a monopoly?

Yes. In June 2007 an EU panel of judges ruled that Systembolaget’s shop monopoly was justified, though did lift restrictions on the private import of alcohol.

Why is Systembolaget allowed to be only chain of off-licences in Sweden?

A number of regulations govern how Systembolaget stores are operated. One major reason for the monopoly being permitted is to enforce the minimum age law. Also, Systembolaget stores are prohibited from favouring particular brands, which in theory leads to a fairer choice for the consumer. Systembolaget can promote itself, but not individual products. All products are taxed on alcohol content rather than price, and all are sold with the same profit margin. Another advantage sometimes cited is that the enormous bulk buying power of the Systembolaget chain helps to keep prices down – Systembolaget is one of the largest buyers of wines and spirits in the world. Staff are well-trained and often surprisingly knowledgeable about the products on sale.

When are Systembolaget shops open?

Opening hours have been extended in some places in recent years. In larger centres, Systembolaget stores may be open Monday-Saturday, perhaps until 7pm on weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays. In smaller towns, opening hours may be restricted to weekdays and/or office hours only. In remote areas and small villages, the local store often operates as an extension of Systembolaget, where orders can be placed in advance for collection on particular days of the week

Sulmac

Most Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) have state-owned alcohol monopolies.

If you think the 10pm closing time here is archaic, you should see their opening hours - closed all day Sunday and early every other day. Also, according to my cousin who lived in Sweden for a while, some of them make it pretty awkward to get alcohol, you have to give them your order and they get it for you - you can't go and 'pick it out' and bring it to a till.

TheZohanS

Wouldn't work in Ireland, too many politicians own pubs. The government would jack up the prices, you'd have civil servants working in them with supervisors standing around doing nothing, they'd have to get a health and safety officer every time they need a box of booze lifted and at the end of the day it would be a loss making exercise.

D1stant

Would there be free cheese with the wine?

grenache

I was asking my Swedish friend who lives in Göteborg about this, she seems nothing strange about off licences closing at 3 on a Saturday. I do find it very odd indeed. We have it good here in comparison.

W123-80's

TheZohan wrote: »

Wouldn't work in Ireland, too many politicians own pubs. The government would jack up the prices, you'd have civil servants working in them with supervisors standing around doing nothing, they'd have to get a health and safety officer every time they need a box of booze lifted and at the end of the day it would be a loss making exercise.

Plus, as its the taxpayer that will be paying for the stock, all purchases of beer, wine, spirits would have to be tendered out..????

I could be wrong on that one in fairness.

But if i'm right, it's going to create a red tape mess to try and get a decent range of beers etc available at decent value all of the time.

Questions such as;
How come they are buying loads of Guinness and not buying loads of beer from the small micro brewry down the road, or loads of Old Speckled Hen from the Uk or the equivilant in France, Germany, Spain etc.. We are all part of the EU now.

How are Beers outside of the EU sourced? Which brands/types are chosen? Who decides? Do they go to tender when a new beer from Brazil looks like it might sell well. How do they ensure transpanancy on all tendering procedures?

Or maybe the purchase of alcohol would be exempt from any EU or Irish Procurement guidelines as they would be operating in a competitive enviornment.
If that is the case how can we as the tax payer ensure that we are getting value for our buck on alcohol purchased?
How do we know that all alcohol isin't sourced through Diagio or some similiar Company because the CEO of said company is mates with the minister for Off Licences.

Anyway, as I say, I could have the wrong end of the stick altogether.!
But I think it would be difficult to operate.

Fuhrer

In Toronto, the only off licenses are run by the government.


Could work.

Pauleta

It sounds very communist and remember how that ended up. They will charge extortionate prices and reduce opening hours. Thousands of people would lose their jobs.

TheIrishGrover

TheZohan wrote: »

..... you'd have civil servants working in them with supervisors standing around doing nothing, they'd have to get a health and safety officer every time they need a box of booze lifted and at the end of the day it would be a loss making exercise.

Plus, someone would refuse to lift a box altogether, be suspended, every off-licence would go on strike and the entire country would burn down.

And on week two it would get worse........

Fratton Fred

Our government would outsource the running of them, with zero performance measures in place.

There would be a three month waiting list for booze.

Mind you, the Poitin makers would have a field day...

Hail 2 Da Thief

onelessprob wrote: »

All of canada outside of Alberta has state owned off-licences, with most of them being monopolies.

Which has resulted in sky high liquor prices & difficulty in tracking down liquor stores!

RockinRolla

Fuhrer wrote: »

In Toronto, the only off licenses are run by the government.


Could work.

Appropriate username.

Why would anyone give government monopoly over the sale of alcohol? They would have the power to regulate it in a way that would defy logical thought. Prices would soar! There would be zero competition. What would happen to free trade? If you think things are bad now, that is, an adult cannot legally purchase a bottle of wine after 10pm, I shudder to think of the complete nonsense some people in here are advocating.

Opelfruit

super_furry wrote: »

Noticed that when I was in Canada they were all govenment owned, and I actually think it could be a good idea. Looking at it practically, there'd be competition problems in making it a monopoly but even if they were to open their own chain, it could be a big revenue spinner.

Only in some states, in Quebec you can buy beer in a dépanneur, ie an independent corner shop.

Overheal

Pauleta wrote: »

It sounds very communist and remember how that ended up. They will charge extortionate prices and reduce opening hours. Thousands of people would lose their jobs.

lol.

This happens in some states in New England. No extortionist prices. Actually some pretty good deals. The Liquor itself isn't "taxed" because all of the net profits go straight to the state. Making a few of those places a great spot to stock up on if you're traveling through.

Spread

NH, USA. Liquor Stores are state owned. Just Spirits and Wine. NH is a tax free (sales) states. A half gallon of White Rum $14.95, 2L of Port $16, 1.75L Irish Cream Liquor $18, More brands of Irish Whiskey than you'll ever see at home - all at huge discounts. Wine about 30% cheaper but, considering that the US produces a lot of wine, not cheap enough. You can get plonk for $3 per L. The profit that is made is vast. More specifically, lots of the Stores are dotted at the state's periphery - to coax the out-of-staters Slainte!
Below is the bad news and good ......

News & Events
March 30, 2011
OPPOSE THE HOUSE BUDGET REDUCTIONS TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE FUNDING FOR ALCOHOL and OTHER DRUG PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

I. Summary



New Futures strongly opposes the NH House budget reductions for alcohol and other drug prevention and treatment. Specifically, the following cuts for the biennium will have devastating impacts on the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol problems in New Hampshire:

• Elimination of all direct services for prevention of alcohol and other drug problems
• Elimination all addiction prevention services to the elderly (REAP program)

• Reduction of treatment services contracts by $1,742,606
• Reduction of funding for training and technical assistance

Funding for alcohol and other drug addiction prevention and treatment services within the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) budget must be maintained. Alcohol and other drug problems in New Hampshire:

• are significant and pervasive;
• have a serious negative economic impact; and,
• can effectively and efficiently be targeted by prevention and treatment services.

The state of New Hampshire profits from the sale of alcohol and a percentage of such profits must be used to alleviate the problems associated with its use.