Sliema local council to ban drinking in public places

The law is to follow in the footsteps of the ones already in force in Paceville, whereby loitering in the streets with an open glass container is punishable by a fine of €65 and a further €10 for every day during which the law is breached. The updated rules now also ban carrying alcohol unless it is sealed and unopened, and the consumption of alcohol in the streets.

The law is an attempt to keep drinkers in the bars and clubs, therefore not inconveniencing people in residential areas.

So far the vote for the bye-law has not been unanimous with Sliema councillor Martin Debono voting against the bye-law.

“Some streets have been targeted as well as public gardens and beaches. If the law comes into force then bars and kiosks will be able to sell alcohol but a person taking a beer down to the beach will be liable to be fined.

“Though the intention of the law is a good one, to stop underage drinkers, drinking in the streets is not being limited to people under the legal drinking age of 17.

“If the law was targeting only underage drinkers then I would be in favour, however I do think that checking a person who is above the drinking age to see if they have alcohol on their person is eroding our human rights.

“Technically the kiosks in Sliema are on public land. Therefore whether they should be allowed to sell alcohol remains questionable.”

Language students are often blamed for rowdy behaviour resulting from over consumption of alcohol and noise pollution ensuing. Julian Cassar Torregiani of AM language school says that this is an unfair assumption to make as only 25% of tourists in that age bracket come to Malta for the purpose of learning English.

“The problem lies within the infrastructure as residential areas and commercial outlets are so close together. Spanish tourists also have a different routine, in that they go out at 10pm, after an afternoon siesta, and come home in the early hours of the morning. Even a group of four people walking home at that time, who are not drunk are bound to create some sort of disturbances, especially when windows are left open because of the heat. 

“As language schools we warn the students of the laws that should be respected and we do not have these problems while the students are on school property. We have little control over what an adult does in their free time outside of school. They are free to do whatever they like within the confines of the law.”