62% of Icelanders are opposed to selling alcohol in grocery stores, if it includes the sale of hard liquor, according to a survey by PSN – Communications. Currently, beer, wine and hard liquor are sold in outlets run by the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland.
According to Árni Einarsson, the director of the Icelandic Education Center for Drug Prevention, about 50% of the nation wants beer and wine to be offered in grocery stores. However, he said that the outcome of the survey clearly showed that people do not want hard liquor sold in grocery stores. In an interview with Morgunbladid Árni said, “We, as well as others, have pointed out that if beer is sold in grocery stores…hard liquor will soon follow.”
Árni also said that it was not financially feasible to have a liquor store that only sells hard liquor – the options are either to sell all alcohol – beer, wine and hard liquor – in grocery stores, or keep things as they are.
Women, 72.3%, were more opposed to selling alcohol in grocery stores than men, 56.3%, as were older respondents and people living in the countryside.
Results were based a survey with 1200 people aged 18 to 67 throughout the country. 829 respondents answered the survey. The question asked was “Are you in favor of, or opposed to selling alcohol in grocery stores if all types of alcohol, including hard liquor, are offered for sale?”
