Sale of alcoholic drinks at night will be prohibited

The grocery stores, wholesale units and shops of filling stations will be banned from selling alcoholic beverages between 10am and 8pm. Relevant amendments to the legislation were adopted by Parliament in final reading on March 1. The ban does not apply to nightclubs, restaurants and other recreation units, Info-Prim Neo reports. Bill author Liliana Palihovich said the move is aimed at reducing the number of road accidents involving inebriated drivers, who buy drinks mainly at the shops of filling stations. The bill also imposes restrictions on tobacco items. The retail outlets are obliged to post notices about the ban to sell tobacco products to persons under 18 and the size of the fine imposed for not obeying this provision. The sellers will have the right to ask the person who wants to buy cigarettes to show the identity card to see the age. The fine for selling tobacco products to underage persons will be raised from 1 600 lei to 2 400 lei for private individuals. The legal entities will be fined 7 000 lei.