Sin tax: Qatar authorities have driven drinkers to despair
If there is a hell for alcoholics on earth, then it is undoubtedly in Qatar. No, alcohol is not prohibited here as in Saudi Arabia — the temptation is nearby and you can buy and consume booze. But this simple and understandable process for our fellow citizens in an Islamic country is turning into a real quest, which is becoming more and more difficult.
It is known that in countries where the main religion is Islam, alcohol consumption is not approved. Qatar is no exception. In a tiny and very poor emirate, alcohol is not prohibited, but it is not easy to buy it.
There is only one liquor store in the country, which is located in the capital, the city of Doha. Needless to say, in a country full of tourists, the outlet operates in the most extreme mode.
A few weeks ago, the government of the emirate warned its citizens and guests that from January 1, a "sin tax" will be introduced in the country, which will double the prices of hot drinks. Also, other attributes of a vicious life, to which the authorities attributed tobacco and energy drinks, also fell under the distribution. Interestingly, the rise in price, though not so serious, also affected sweet soda — it rose in price by only 50%.
There is only one alcohol distributor in Qatar — QDC (Qatar Distribution Company). A couple of days before the introduction of new prices, the company published a price list for its products, which took up as many as 30 pages. The information caused a shock, to put it mildly, and on December 31, a huge crowd attacked an alcohol store in Doha. The queue consisted of hundreds of sufferers who at all costs decided to buy drinks at the old prices.
A case of Heineken beer (350 ml) costs $ 105 from January 1, inexpensive Shiraz wine from South Africa costs $ 23 per bottle. Fans of "what's stronger" will have a hard time at all — for a liter of not the best Indian gin Bombay Sapphire will have to pay $ 93!
Experts believe that an additional tax on unhealthy products was introduced as part of the country's preparations for the World Cup, which Qatar will host in 2022.
Not so long ago, the headquarters of the World Cup-2022, which has already begun its work, stated that during a sports event, alcohol can be purchased only in establishments with a special license. For drinking in places not intended for this, drinkers will be punished.