Proposed changes to liquor laws rejected

This morning in Belmopan, proposals to amend the Liquor Licensing Act did not go over well with the members of the public. In a Green Paper, government said the changes were necessary to “avert the tragedy of a wasted generation of young people and restore some order to national life” for “productive lives in safer communities”. But while liquor vendors might have supported the intent of the document, when the paper disclosed that it would recommend that restaurants and night clubs close at midnight Monday to Thursday and at 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, they realised a vital revenue earner was slipping away. Today, vendors voiced objections both in person and in writing and given the highly unpopular response, it now appears the recommendations will not go through for the new year as planned. According to the Mayor’s Association, who had been charged to present recommendations to tighten up on liquor legislation, the only change that will be recommended for new year will be that gas stations should not be allowed to sell alcohol. The other proposals will now be in public consultation until 2003. News 5 understands that Belize’s present liquor licensing laws date back to the 1800s.