Trivial Question: Country with no alcohol
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
Trivial Question: Country with no alcohol
Is there any country in the world you can go to where there is no alcohol at all?
Not a biggie, but I've been surprised to find that there is quite a bit of alcohol drunk in places like Saudi and Iran.
Not a biggie, but I've been surprised to find that there is quite a bit of alcohol drunk in places like Saudi and Iran.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
The USA tried it. Did not stop consumption. Mafia et al got rich(er).
Other countries are still learning.
http://www.quitalcohol.com/informati...l-illegal.html
Other countries are still learning.
http://www.quitalcohol.com/informati...l-illegal.html
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
I'm not a supporter of prohibition, but would like to experience an alcohol free society. I think there's a difference between prohibition in a previously alcohol drinking society than a society where everyone had grown up without alcohol. Or, there would be if such a place existed.
I was particularly unimpressed to learn about the alcohol brewing and drinking culture among expats in Saudi Arabia. E.g. a certain episode of 'Banged Up Abroad'.
BTW: Your link is wrong concerning Iran. It says that Iran has an alcohol prohibition, but it's only for Muslims. Non-Muslims e.g. Armenian Christians can brew and buy/sell alcohol, and it seems then not uncommonly illicitly sell it to Muslims as well.
Wikipedia Article on 'Alcohol in Iran'.
I was interested to read in your link that there is prohibition in several Indian states. I didn't know that.
I was particularly unimpressed to learn about the alcohol brewing and drinking culture among expats in Saudi Arabia. E.g. a certain episode of 'Banged Up Abroad'.
BTW: Your link is wrong concerning Iran. It says that Iran has an alcohol prohibition, but it's only for Muslims. Non-Muslims e.g. Armenian Christians can brew and buy/sell alcohol, and it seems then not uncommonly illicitly sell it to Muslims as well.
Wikipedia Article on 'Alcohol in Iran'.
Under the law, it is forbidden for Iran's Muslim citizens to consume alcohol. However, there is open violation of the law. Alcohol drinking is so widespread that Iranians are the third highest consumers of alcohol in Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries, behind Lebanon and Turkey (in both of which it is legal to drink), with an annual per capita consumption of 1.02 Liters.[6] Much of the alcoholic beverages consumed by Iranian citizens is smuggled from Iraqi Kurdistan into Iran.[7]
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
I'm just imagining things. A commune/kibbutz is too small an environment. It's not the same as being able to walk around in a much wider area with no alcohol.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, QRPC Gold
Posts: 144
Saudi Arabia. Besides expat compounds (where access is strictly controlled) and the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh (in specific areas too), it is almost impossible to find.
It isn't legally available anywhere.
No to say that it doesn't exist - but for the average person, it is out of reach.
Edit: seems like I totally missed the part mentioning Saudi Arabia.
There are a few states in India (but not the whole country) where prohibition still exists (Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur and the territory of Lakshadweep).
I'm fairly sure it's available there but not about how easy it is.
Ro
It isn't legally available anywhere.
No to say that it doesn't exist - but for the average person, it is out of reach.
Edit: seems like I totally missed the part mentioning Saudi Arabia.
There are a few states in India (but not the whole country) where prohibition still exists (Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur and the territory of Lakshadweep).
I'm fairly sure it's available there but not about how easy it is.
Ro
Last edited by RohanDXB; Aug 1, 2017 at 6:27 am Reason: Clarification
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
Both in law and reality?
Looking on TripAdvisor, I find:
Looking on TripAdvisor, I find:
Sale of all alcohol is banned in Brunei (including hotels). However non-Muslim visitors over 17 years old are allowed to bring in alcohol into Brunei for their personal consumption.
Brunei has one of the most generous duty free allowances of any country in the world. Regulations permit two litres of alcohol (spirits or wine) and twelve cans of beer to be imported every 48 hours. These can either be brought into the country upon arrival or purchased at any border at any time during your stay.
Brunei has one of the most generous duty free allowances of any country in the world. Regulations permit two litres of alcohol (spirits or wine) and twelve cans of beer to be imported every 48 hours. These can either be brought into the country upon arrival or purchased at any border at any time during your stay.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,031
What you really want to experience is a society free of obnoxious people who have had a few. Try Algeria or Tunisia. Its always a shock for me when returning from North Africa or the Middle East and connecting in Frankfurt or returning home.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,117
Saudi Arabia. Besides expat compounds (where access is strictly controlled) and the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh (in specific areas too), it is almost impossible to find.
It isn't legally available anywhere.
No to say that it doesn't exist - but for the average person, it is out of reach.
Edit: seems like I totally missed the part mentioning Saudi Arabia.
There are a few states in India (but not the whole country) where prohibition still exists (Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur and the territory of Lakshadweep).
I'm fairly sure it's available there but not about how easy it is.
Ro
It isn't legally available anywhere.
No to say that it doesn't exist - but for the average person, it is out of reach.
Edit: seems like I totally missed the part mentioning Saudi Arabia.
There are a few states in India (but not the whole country) where prohibition still exists (Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur and the territory of Lakshadweep).
I'm fairly sure it's available there but not about how easy it is.
Ro
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the Cone of Silence
Programs: UA Gold; AA Dirt; HH Diamond; National Emerald; CONTROL SecretAgent Platinum; KAOS EvilFlyer Gold
Posts: 1,499
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,264
There are some US counties that are dry. Some of them are in Alaska ('Boroughs') and are probably the same physical size as some mid-major EU countries. With Alaska, it's typically in areas with majority indigenous populations where town leaders feel drinking causes too many health and societal problems.
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
We spent several years living in Oman where alcohol is available, but only from discrete alcohol shops to those licensed (and only able to purchase to a certain percentage of salary) and in hotel bars etc. I like that it was available, but was to be discrete and not impact on anyone else.