The public consumption of beverages is regulated by municipalities in local ordinances, establishing areas where the consumption of beverages containing more than 2.25% alcohol is prohibited. These areas are usually located in city centers, near schools, churches and parks. Alcohol consumption in these areas usually results in police confiscation of open containers or a fine. The police may confiscate any alcohol if the person concerned is also under 20 years of age. Only public spaces within these zones are regulated, with the exception of places allowed to serve alcohol and, for example, cars parked in the zone. For example, it was legal to drink alcohol outdoors in the Edinburgh area, but not in Glasgow, Aberdeen or Dundee. Opponents of public drinking (such as religious organizations or government agencies) argue that it encourages excessive alcohol consumption and drinking, hooliganism and violence, suggesting that people should instead drink in private shops such as pubs, bars or clubs, where a bartender can prevent overconsumption and where hooliganism can be better controlled by the fact that you can you sit down and that security or bouncers may be present. [1] Alternatively, adults can drink at home. Opponents of normalizing public alcohol consumption also worry about the risks associated with public intoxication, such as broken bottles on the street and aggressive behavior while intoxicated.
[ref. needed] Here you can legally drink alcohol in the UK. Recently, the prairies have been at the heart of many gatherings where people have been drinking. The practice of botellón (excessive consumption of public alcohol) is relatively popular among teenagers and young adults, partly in response to rising drink prices in bars or clubs and partly because more people can meet in one place. In Finland, the consumption of alcohol in public is prohibited in built-up areas (“taajama”), at border crossings or in vehicles used for public transport such as buses or trams. The law does not apply to restaurants, pubs and other licensed establishments, nor inside vehicles such as taxis or limousines used privately. Public parks or equivalent sites are also exempt, provided that the consumption of alcohol does not cause undue public disturbance. [13] Although alcohol consumption on the streets and on public transport is technically illegal, in practice the authorities only intervene in the event of a disruption. Alcohol consumption on trains and buses is more strictly prohibited, while drinking alcohol on the street is socially acceptable.
In Hong Kong, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public is legal for adults over the age of 18. The consumption of alcohol in public is legal in Switzerland. Although Switzerland has a legal purchasing age of 16 for beer and wine[44] and 18 for spirits[45] (18 for both in Ticino), it is not illegal for minors to consume alcohol in public. But the cantons of Aargau, Zurich, Solothurn and Bern[46] have laws that make it illegal to administer alcohol to minors under federal laws on the age of purchase (exceptions apply to parents). Hotels, airports, and trains are exceptions to all this, and the sale of alcohol is legal year-round. Public drinking is legal in France. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors (under 18 years of age). However, local laws may prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public or the purchase of alcohol in certain areas or at certain times. [15] Only persons over the age of 18 are allowed to drink in public, except in urban areas where there are public space protection orders1. A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is a special decree that allows police to prevent people from drinking in a particular area. I thought if it was illegal, it would. The same place where I lived.
With the sun shining and restrictions on outdoor gatherings eased, many of us will enjoy seeing friends and having a drink in one of Edinburgh`s public parks. For this reason, additional police officers have been deployed and signs have been put up to remind people that it is currently illegal to drink outside. Even outside these areas, police can take alcohol or switch to something other than young people under the age of 18 if they have been drinking. The City of Edinburgh allows alcohol consumption in public places, but according to Edinburgh regulations, anyone who drinks in public should stop if asked to do so by the police. [54] In the Strathclyde area, to which Glasgow belongs, the consumption of alcohol or the possession of an open container of liquor in public places has been illegal since 1996. Violation of this law may result in a fine. This ban was enforced due to the increase in violent alcohol-related crime. [55] In the Municipality of Perth & Kinross, alcohol consumption in public places is illegal in the following places: Alyth, Crieff, Kinross, Scone, Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie, Dunkeld & Birnam, Milnathort, Coupar Angus, Errol, Perth City. Drinking alcohol in public in these areas is punishable. [56] In St Andrews, Fife, it is illegal to drink or even have an open container on the street.
Fines may be imposed by the police on the spot. However, it is legal to consume alcohol on any of St. Andrews` beaches. This comes as Scots are being asked not to drink in gardens with their neighbours during lockdown, an SNP minister has warned. In January 2021, Premier Nicola Sturgeon announced that it would be illegal to consume alcohol outdoors in all Level Four zones. Drinking alcohol in public is illegal in Norway and is punishable by fines. In many cities, police react mostly when alcohol consumption causes problems and alcohol consumption in parks is quite common. Most officials will ask the drinker to empty the bottle without further reaction. Although fines of up to 5000NOK can be issued for public consumption. [37] I was warned because I was drinking a beer in a fairly well-hidden area of a park. In the fourth-tier areas that covered mainland Scotland, outdoor alcohol consumption was no longer allowed, including in Edinburgh, where residents were still allowed to drink in public places.
Italy has no national laws against public drinking, although local municipalities may enact regulations (ordinanza sindacale) prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public in certain places in the municipality or at certain times. Local regulations must also set fines for violators. [23] In Lithuania, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public is illegal, prohibited and punishable by fines. Following the election of Boris Johnson as Mayor of London, transport conditions on most of London`s public transport systems (notably under Transport for London – London Buses, London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink and, most recently, Emirates Air Line and TfL Rail) have been updated to prohibit the carriage of open containers of alcohol and the consumption of alcohol.