Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act to Take Effect from 1 April 2015

1. The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, which was passed in Parliament on 29 January 2015, will come into force on 1 April 2015.

2. The Minister for Home Affairs has also ordered the declaration of two Liquor Control Zones in Geylang and Little India with effect from 1 April 2015. The boundaries of the Liquor Control Zones (LCZ) are indicated in the Annex.

Law Targets Public Disorder and Disamenities

3. The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act regulates the supply and consumption of liquor in public places to minimize public disorder and disamenities arising from drinking in public.

Consumption of Liquor in Public Places

4. Under the Act, the consumption of liquor will not be allowed in all public places from 10.30pm to 7am every day.

5. Within the specified LCZs, additional restriction for consumption of liquor in public places will be imposed for weekends and public holidays:

a) Weekends: 7am of Saturday to 7am of the following Monday

b) Public holidays: 7pm of the eve of a public holiday to 7am of the day after the public holiday

6. However, members of the public can continue to consume liquor at home, and within licensed premises such as restaurants, coffee shops or bars, in accordance with the hours stipulated in the licences.

7. Members of the public can also continue to consume liquor if they have a valid permit issued by the National Parks Board to organise a barbecue in a national park. [1]

8. For events held in public places, organisers of these events may apply for a consumption permit from the Police if the events involve the consumption of liquor during the restricted hours.

Restrictions on the Supply of Liquor

9. The retail sale of take-away liquor will not be allowed from 10.30pm to 7am every day. The Police may grant an extension of retail sale hours on a case-by-case basis. In considering an application for extension, the Police will take into account the propensity for public disorder and disamenities in the locality, as well as additional measures that licensees are prepared to put in place to reduce public disorder and disamenities arising from liquor supply and consumption.

10. These restrictions apply to the retail sale of take-away liquor. The supply of liquor on licensed premises such as restaurants, coffee shops or bars can continue in accordance with existing licensing hours and conditions.

11. Within the specified LCZs, additional restriction for retail sale of take-away liquor will start from 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and eves of public holidays, instead of 10.30pm.

12. Under the Act, offences committed within the Liquor Control Zones will result in a penalty of one and a half times that in non-designated areas.

13. The Police will take a calibrated and even-handed approach in enforcing the law. If a person is found consuming liquor in public places, the Police will take down his particulars in the first instance and require him to dispose of the liquor. If there is public annoyance, the Police can also advise the person to move on and leave the place. If he complies, no further action will be taken. If the person ignores the Police's advice, or is a recalcitrant offender, the Police may consider taking stiffer actions such as issuing him with a composition fine or arresting him.

14. For more information, members of the public may refer to the Frequently-Asked-Questions published on the Police's website: http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/SPF/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx#TOPIC_9301

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

31 MARCH 2015

[1] The national parks include Changi Beach Park, East Coast Park, Labrador Nature Reserve, Pasir Ris Park, Sembawang Park, and West Coast Park.