The 2017 Greenland Alcohol Act regulates the sale, serving, and production of alcoholic beverages. It requires anyone selling or serving alcohol to hold a license issued by the local municipal council, which considers police, health, and social authority input before approval. Applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements, including age, financial stability, and good conduct. Licenses are valid for three years, can be revoked for violations, and different types are issued depending on alcohol content or the nature of the event (such as tourist or occasional permits). The law also sets clear opening hours, bans sales to under-18s and visibly intoxicated persons, and requires businesses to follow responsible serving practices, including staff training and ensuring minors are not employed in alcohol sales except under supervision. The Act imposes strict controls on advertising, requiring alcohol to be screened off in shops, prohibiting giveaways, vending machine sales, and private alcohol production. It further mandates that workplaces adopt alcohol policies and that both producers and sellers participate in public awareness campaigns. Enforcement powers are granted to municipalities, police, and the government (Naalakkersuisut), with police authorized to impose temporary closures or restrictions in cases of disorder. Sanctions for violations include fines, confiscation of home-brewed alcohol, and, for legal entities, corporate penalties. The law grants the government the power to impose stricter local or nationwide restrictions if alcohol is deemed a threat to public health or safety.
Greenland (Denmark) · 2017-11-23