Saturday January 16, 2021
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Alcohol Prohibition Looms for Uruguay

Alcohol Prohibition Looms for Uruguay

Contributor by Contributor
March 26, 2015

Tags: Uruguay
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp

Español It might seem hard to believe that the same country that decriminalized marijuana [1] is now facing a law that aims to declare a war on alcoholic drinks, although Uruguayan officials have thus far insisted that it is far from what prohibition once was in the United States.

Nevertheless, on his first day as president (March 1), Tabaré Vázquez announced he would take strong measures against the excessive intake of alcohol, and 25 days later he convened a first meeting with the opposition, the Beverage Union, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the director of the National Board of Drugs, Milton Romani. The purpose was clear and allegedly “positive”: to limit the alcohol consumption of Uruguayans.

RelatedArticles

Netflix’s “Death to 2020” Illustrates the Problem with Power

Netflix’s “Death to 2020” Illustrates the Problem with Power

January 16, 2021
Political Trial Against Trump Conducted by Democrat Linked to Chinese Spy

Political Trial Against Trump Conducted by Democrat Linked to Chinese Spy

January 15, 2021
Today's meeting over how to curtail Uruguay's purported problem of alcohol consumption. (Maldonado Noticias)
Today’s meeting over how to curtail Uruguay’s purported problem of alcohol consumption. (Maldonado Noticias)

This is not Vázquez’s first war against personal liberties. During his first administration (2005-2010), Vázquez not only fought with tobacco — which was, at the time, enjoying a global euphoria — he made it quite clear that he would not support any abortion liberalization, and he publicly admitted that he was willing to veto an eventual bill, if approved in Parliament, which he did. [2]

The will of Vázquez (a Catholic oncologist) to take care of Uruguayan people can go too far: this is not even his first attempt to regulate alcohol. A draft bill, identical in intentions, was sent to the parliament during his first presidential period and was rejected despite his Party’s (Frente Amplio) majority in both legislative houses. His obsession did not fade with time, as we all witness today.

According to official numbers, 8 percent of Uruguay’s alcohol consumption is problematic, and it is estimated that 5 percent of it is related to minors.

While some of his senators (including former President José Mujica) and, surprisingly, his Vice-President Raúl Sendic march in support of Maduro’s government, Vázquez plans to implement limits on alcohol’s advertising, as well as create more demands for retailers and new sanctions for those who ignore the yet unborn law.

The upcoming meeting will be held on April 29, and in the meantime, Vázquez suggested that we have an “open mind” about this new resolution — whatever it may be — since he is convinced that alcohol is a gateway drug to harder substances.

“Consumers won’t be persecuted,” Vázquez said, “but alcohol will not be sold in every store.” 
The sole fact that the president clarified that there wouldn’t be persecutions, makes me to think the opposite: it is exactly what happened with the smoking ban nine years ago. Smokers were suddenly demonized and vilified.

All these nanny-state measures (so typical of our president) are not coherent with the statements of that candidate who once said that he would consider decriminalizing cocaine. That was Vázquez last year, just in case.

I seem to forget that, for some, liberties are worth defending only during election times, and that they are easily forgotten once the throne — office, I meant office — is conquered.

[1] The implementation of the law has been suspended until further notice.
[2] Abortion was decriminalized on request, in December 2011, under José Mujica’s administration.

Edited by Fergus Hodgson.

Tags: Uruguay
Previous Post

The Difference between Expats and Immigrants? It’s Passports, Not Race

Next Post

Chavistas Strong-Arm State Workers into Signing Anti-Obama Petition

Contributor

Contributor

Related Posts

Netflix’s “Death to 2020” Illustrates the Problem with Power
Analysis

Netflix’s “Death to 2020” Illustrates the Problem with Power

January 16, 2021
Political Trial Against Trump Conducted by Democrat Linked to Chinese Spy
Elections

Political Trial Against Trump Conducted by Democrat Linked to Chinese Spy

January 15, 2021
Purchase of Damaged Dollar Bills Is the Latest Unusual Business in Venezuela
United States

Donald Trump Will Not Be Dismissed

January 14, 2021
The Catholic Church Infiltrated by Globalists
United States

Trump Trial Won’t Free America from “White Supremacy,” Says Hillary Clinton

January 13, 2021
Donations That Compromise Joe Biden to Big Tech
United States

The Urgency to Remove Trump: Giuliani Calls for “Declassifying Everything”

January 12, 2021
Donations That Compromise Joe Biden to Big Tech
United States

Donations That Compromise Joe Biden to Big Tech

January 12, 2021
Next Post
Chavistas Strong-Arm State Workers into Signing Anti-Obama Petition

Chavistas Strong-Arm State Workers into Signing Anti-Obama Petition

Discussion about this post

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.