Iceland: IOGT Starts Petition To Protect Alcohol Monopoly
Draft bill to abolish the Icelandic alcohol retail monopoly, but citizens disagree. IOGT Iceland lacunas petition against the draft bill to help show popular support for the current alcohol policy model.
IOGT Iceland has launched an initiative to collect signatures from citizens to express popular support for the current model of alcohol policy, against a draft bill that would abolish the Icelandic alcohol retail monopoly. 24 civil society organizations have joined the initiative.
It’s almost all NGOs that work with alcohol issues, but also UNCIEF and Save the Children. They’ve written a long letter to members of parliament.
And the Cancer Foundation has published an Op-Ed in a large newspaper,” explains Aðalsteinn Gunnarsson, Secretary-General for IOGT Iceland.
In addition, we have also garnered support from governmental agencies such as the Children ombudsman and the welfare authority in Reykjavik municipality.”
Aðalsteinn Gunnarsson, chef för IOGT på Island. Foto: Nathalie C. Andersson
The petition complements other advocacy activities, like meetings with government representatives and members of parliament. IOGT Iceland is optimistic about the campaign and their chances to stop the draft bill.
We are better prepared than 2015, when a similar proposal had last been made.
Back then, we succeeded in collecting 2,000 signatures in 14 days.
People in Iceland do not want this change to the alcohol law, but some politicians claim they know better than the people. Our Minister of Industry has even said so,” explains Aðalsteinn Gunnarsson.