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WHO Reviews Latvia's Alcohol Restrictions
Initial data suggest reduced availability may lower alcohol-related mortality.
An early WHO/Europe evaluation assessed Latvia's restrictions on alcohol availability, including shorter retail hours, delayed online delivery and tighter controls on discounts and gambling-venue sales. The measures were designed to reduce impulse purchases and late-night access.
During the first five months, mortality from causes wholly attributable to alcohol declined by 27 percent, corresponding to more than 60 deaths averted. WHO emphasized that the analysis is preliminary, uses limited follow-up data and has been submitted for independent peer review.
Source: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2026-09-28.