Kerala bans sale of liquor to those below 21 yrs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to contain alcohol consumption among youth, the Kerala Government has raised the age limit for eligibility to buy liquor from 18 to 21 years.


Briefing newspersons here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a notification to this effect would be issued soon. The government decision came in the wake of reports that drinking habit was spreading among children in Kerala which has the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita alcohol consumption of eight liters, three times the national average.


Chandy said the government also sought an explanation from two officials who scuttled a Cabinet decision to ban sale of tobacco products in and around 400 meters of educational institutions in the state.