New traffic code and breathalyzer tests caused a plunge in consumption in nightclubs

Market executives at alcoholic beverage import companies are reporting a drop of around 20-25%, although people continue to go out and fill the shops.

They fill them up, but without drinking, usually staying with one drink, while in the past they could easily have three or four in a bar or restaurant.

Clearly, the Greek mentality regarding alcohol has not changed, but the large drop in consumption can be traced back to two serious causes.

The first and the one most responsible for this change are the intensive checks by the Traffic Police almost daily and of course on weekends with breathalyzers on central arteries and roads.

The shock of the checks
The new KOK (Highway Traffic Code) has now incorporated very strict provisions and steep fines for driving under the influence of alcohol, something that many Greeks have noticed.

The scenes near dawn with cars parked, cranes ready to pick them up, drivers lamenting and young girls crying after being found to be over the limit, ultimately troubled many people.

Close
Now, if the alcohol content in a driver's system is between 0.25-0.39 ml/l, the fine is 350 euros, while the driver's license is revoked for one month.

If he is found with 0.40-0.54 ml/l, he will pay 700 euros, while in addition to the revocation of his license for three months, the vehicle's license plates are also removed.

Finally, the unfortunate person who is found with 0.55 ml/l in his system, in addition to the 1200 euros that he will be asked to pay and the revocation of his license for six months, also faces criminal prosecution with imprisonment.

In cases of recurrence, the fines are doubled or quadrupled, while the driver's license can be revoked for up to ten years.

Hard drinks decline
The second reason why alcohol consumption has dropped significantly is that alcohol remains one of the most expensive accompaniments to a meal or at a party in a bar.

So-called "hard" drinks such as whiskey, gin, vodka and tequila in particular are the ones that paid the bride price, since the special consumption tax and the 24% VAT combined with the increase in international shipping in recent years have skyrocketed their price.

In a well-known restaurant in Kolonaki, four years ago a glass of Macallan whiskey aged 12 years was charged 20 euros, while now it is charged 30.

The drop in alcohol consumption has rung a bell in the catering sector, where entrepreneurs are seeing a significant loss of profits, especially last year and this year after they were forced to increase prices due to taxes and shipping.

Simple drinks and cocktails have always left the most significant profit margin in bars, trendy restaurants, clubs and of course in bouzoukis. Where until last year a group of ten people could comfortably consume a three-liter bottle of premium vodka, knowing that the traffic police checks were clearly on a smaller scale.

This year, almost no one orders such a bottle in night clubs, but of a smaller capacity, which, however, are ultimately not consumed - fear guards the deserts - and there are not a few customers who, when leaving the shop, take them with them, after having paid 250 or 500 euros for them.

Those who want to drink without fear choose either to travel by taxi, or with a friend of theirs, who will not drink because he is the one driving so that there is no problem on the way back.

Also, some nightclubs have chosen to serve bottles with 0% alcohol content, as is the case with at least three well-known English gins, the taste of which is quite similar to the original.