Greenland alcohol ban divides residents and hits local businesses

Greenland’s alcohol ban has brought reported social benefits but reduced business for restaurants and taxi drivers in southern Greenland, DR reports. The restrictions took effect on October 2.

Heidi Møller, who owns Café Heidi, a restaurant in the town of Qaqortoq, says she has lost customers because she can no longer serve them beer. “It’s a shame that people who enjoy a beer are being punished,” she said.

Taxi driver Moortaaraq Abelsen says he has lost about half his customers since the ban began. He used to earn 15,000 kroner a week, but says his income has fallen sharply.

Most of the people DR asked on the streets of Qaqortoq supported the restrictions. Wilhelm Rasmussen said they had brought calm to the town, though he questioned whether they could continue indefinitely. Asta Ravn said limiting alcohol was a good response to a problem.

Greenland’s authorities have reported fewer incidents since the ban took effect. Police say the number of reports has halved, while the social on-call service in South Greenland Municipality has not had to respond to a family disturbance or notification once, according to Mayor Malene Vahl Rasmussen. She also said children’s school absences had fallen.

Rasmussen acknowledged that businesses have been negatively affected and said work was under way to find a solution that could include them.