If the Anna Ape She is permitted to sell jeans, whiskey and SNAPs to visitors to her family’s distillery near Nortaljea in Sweden, the first thing she has to do is warn them of the dangers of alcohol.

As of June 1, small brews, vineyards and distilleries will be able to sell directly to customers – the first “Relaxation” of Swedish Alcohol Monopolywhich has been in place for 100 years now.

According to the Reuters agency, the aim is to stimulate tourism and the development of small businesses, while maintaining the role of Systembolaget – State Beverage Stores – to limit alcohol and public health failure.

“Change in legislation will be a prerequisite for a warning about the dangers of alcohol consumption”said the Anna ApeManaging Director of Nortalgie Brani, describing one of the terms in exchange for the right to sell.

It supports strict alcohol controls and has been positive about changing the law.

“I’m not sure that it will particularly affect the sales of our products because every visitor is allowed to buy only one bottle.”he said.

According to the new rules, distilleries such as Nortalgie will be able to sell a 0.7 -liter bottle directly to visitors after a paid tour between 10:00 am. and 8:00 pm Vineyards and microbrewear sales will be limited to 3 liters.

A 2021 government committee report estimated an increase in alcohol sales by about 200,000 liters a year across Sweden, or less than 1% of sales in Systembolaget.

Controversial

The Swedes have long been concerned about the effects of alcohol consumption on health, and voted against the ban only in 1922 by a marginal majority.

The World Health Organization says strict alcohol policies in Scandinavian countries, which include some of the highest alcohol consumption taxes in Europe, contribute to relatively low consumption and reduce the negative effects on health.

Even a small change in alcohol laws is controversial.

‘Increased alcohol consumption leads to more social problems’said the Alexander OgianeHead of Social Affairs and Public Security at the Stockholm City Council. “We want to reduce these social problems as much as possible.”

Stockholm’s numerous microbrewery will only be able to sell when Systembolaget is open – which means they will not work late at night, Saturday afternoons or Sundays.

Sweden received exception from the free market rules for Systembolaget when it joined the European Union in 1995 and some are worried that Brussels could now demand a greater change in legislation.

“The problem is not the sales of products itself, but we believe they threaten Systembolaget’s monopoly”said the Lucas Nilson, President of the largest organization for “temperament” in Sweden, Iogt-nto.

“After all, this could mean we should break up Systembolaget”he said.

The government will review the law after six years.