Amendments to the existing legislation concerning alcoholic beverages:
1. Law to control alcohol intoxication- 2010
•· It is prohibited to sell, offer or serve alcoholic drinks to minors.
•· It is prohibited to consume alcoholic drinks or possess alcoholic beverages in an open container (bottle, can, glass, etc.) in a public place or inside a car parked in a public place between 21:00 pm and 6:00 am.
•· Minors (under 18 years of age) are prohibited to consume alcoholic drinks or possess alcoholic beverages in an open container (bottle, can, glass, etc.) in a public place or inside a car parked in a public place [1]during all hours of the day. The law grants police officers the authority to confiscate the container and pour out its contents at all hours of the day, if he/she feels there is a perceived threat to the public safety. This applies to both adults and minors.
•· Police officers are granted authority to confiscate alcoholic beverage, pour out its contents and dispose of the containers.
2 B 2. Business Licensing Law -2010 (26th amendment)
•· Prohibition to sell alcohol at stores between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am, except in restaurants, coffee-houses, and places serving alcohol for consumption in its premises (pubs, night clubs, catering services, etc.).
Violators will face a minimum penalty of NIS 9,000.
•· Police officers ranked superintendent or higher are granted the authority to close for up to 15 days any business that violates the prohibition to sell alcohol between 11 pm and 6 am or which sold or served alcohol to a minor. If this offense is repeated inside a three year period, the officer is authorized to close the business for up to 30 days.
•· Business selling alcoholic beverages must post warning notices noting the following:
- health dangers involved in alcohol consumption; prohibition to sell alcohol at stores between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am; prohibition to sell, offer or serve alcoholic drinks to minors; prohibition to serve alcoholic beverages to intoxicated/ drunk patrons.
•· Prohibition/limitations regarding advertising of alcoholic beverages in the mass media: including designated hours, use of role models, and limiting advertising to marketing information only.
•· Warning labels on bottles and other containers.
•· Self-regulated codes of practice in the Israel Press Council regarding alcohol advertisement.
3. Amendments to the Transportation Bill
- Zero tolerance for young drivers under 24 yrs of age, and public transportation drivers, drivers of commercial vehicles over 3.5 tons. Change from 0.05 allowed BAC to 0.01.
[1] Public place is defined by law as any place, road, building, or means of transportation which open and accessible to the public at that given time)