Nuuk, Greenland skyline with the aurora borealis. Source: Wikimedia Commons, Quintinsoloviev, CC BY-SA 4.0
Greenland is characterised by high rates of alcoholism among the indigenous population, which primarily affects children in families with high alcohol consumption.
In 2005, 25.5 per cent of parents with children under 18 had potentially harmful use of alcohol; the figure for 2014 was 21.5.
Currently, Greenlandic authorities are once again preparing to adopt new regulations aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. Previous attempts to do so have failed.
New Recommendations
If the 18 scientifically documented recommendations for a new alcohol policy are implemented, the “curtain policy” where alcoholic products were hidden behind curtains will be surpassed. For example, independent shops will no longer be able to sell alcoholic beverages, because a public monopoly is being planned.
The last time strict alcohol regulations were introduced was in March 2018, when shops were ordered, among other things, to screen off alcoholic beverages. But in less than a year, the screening disappeared again when the new alcohol law was relaxed.
Among other things, recommendations for a new alcohol policy envisage introducing a public alcohol monopoly and a professional licensing board in all municipalities, and limiting hours for the sale and serving of alcohol. The age limit will be raised to 21 years.
In light of the fact that the coalition parties have widely different alcohol policies, it will be quite a task for the Government of Greenland to put together an alcohol policy that everyone agrees on.
It was Democrats that at the time was granted relaxations of the leading and very restrictive alcohol policy in 2018–2019, which Inuit Ataqatigiit otherwise had a very firm grip on.
But now in 2025, a very far-reaching alcohol policy is on the way, if the Greenlandic Parliament will agree to the 18 recommendations that were delivered on Thursday.
Recommendations Are Sent To The Parliament As A Negotiating Proposal
When asked when these recommendations will be implemented, Minister for Health and People with Disabilities, Anna Wangenheim replied that the goal is for a new alcohol policy to be completed during this election period, i.e. before March 2029.
She also emphasises that the recommendations for a multi-year evidence-based alcohol policy that can make a real difference for children, young people and families have been commissioned by the Parliament, and that the recommendations will therefore be topics for negotiation among the parties in the Parliament.
Status Quo Is Not An Option
Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Mads Pedersen, who also helped present the recommendations, emphasised that Greenlandic society can no longer continue with unchanged alcohol policy.
He emphasises how much children in alcoholic homes suffer, while at the same time that placements outside the home have now reached half a billion in expenses per year.
Both members of the Greenland Police also mention that statistics from the Greenland Police show the connection between alcohol consumption and violent crimes, and in particular child abuse crimes.
Absence from work, especially in vital companies that deal with the care of people who are dependent on help and support, for example in retirement homes, disability institutions, day care centers and residential institutions, was also highlighted.
Now it is up to the Parliament and their respective parties to decide how the legislative assembly should respond to the very far-reaching recommendations for future alcohol policy.
Source:
- Sermitsiaq (in Danish)
- NRK (in Norwegian)