Ban on drinking beer in public places in Belarus imposed on February 23

Punishment for drinking alcoholic beverage at work, violation of traffic regulations and walking without retroreflectors has been tightened.

The law establish administrative responsibility for drinking beer and low-alcohol beverages in streets, at stadiums, in parks, public transport and other places expect for those meant for drinking.

The fines will be the same as for drinking alcoholic beverage in public palaces – from 100 to 180 dollars.

It is also banned to drink non-alcoholic beer in public places. In this case, militia promises to have a more liberal approach to amateurs of non-alcoholic beer, but admit this issue is rather delicate and only can be solved only in practice. Low-alcohol beverages are beverages containing from 0.5% to 7% alcohol by volume.

The new law also sets up responsibility for producing strong alcoholic beverages by individuals, buying strong alcoholic beverages (expect for those permitted for sale), buying home-made alcoholic beverages, products for making moonshine, keeping equipment for producing alcohol, and keeping more than 5 litres of moonshine or 30 litres of wash. The law defines strong alcoholic beverages and moonshine as beverages that have more than 28% alcohol content ABV.

The new law that takes effect on February 23 also increases responsibility for pedestrians for violation of traffic rules. Under the new law, pedestrians will have to pay from 1 to 3 basic units (Br100,000) for violation of road regulations.

A fine for absence of retroreflective elements during nighttime is from one to three basic units (up to Br105,000).

A fine for driving without licence has also increased comprising from 25 to 45 basic units. Drunken driving will carry a fine from 15 to 30 basic units and a 3-year suspension of driving licence (1basic unit isBr35,000).

From February 2, Militia is also to draw reports for being drunk at work.