A two-part referendum on alcohol was held in Greenland on 20 June 1978. Voters were asked whether they approved of the banning or rationing of alcohol. The ban on alcohol was rejected by 55% of voters,Greenland, 20 June 1978: Alcohol ban Direct Democracy whilst the rationing proposal was approved by 58% of voters.Greenland, 20 June 1978: Alcohol rationing Direct Democracy
Results QuestionForAgainstInvalid/blankTotalvotesRegisteredvotersTurnoutOutcomeVotes%Votes%Are you for a total ban on alcoholic drinks?5,62044.906,89855.1012,518If there is not a total ban, would you consider rationing?6,23658.764,37641.2410,612Source: Direct Democracy, Direct Democracy
Aftermath Following the referendum, rationing was introduced in August 1979.Hans Aage (2012) Alcohol in Greenland 1951–2010: consumption, mortality, prices Int J Circumpolar Health 2012, 71: 18444 Adults over the age of 18 were limited to 72 "points" per month. A 33cl (12 fl. oz.) bottle of beer was equivalent to one point. In addition, a ban on home brewing and importing malt and hops was implemented.
The points system led to points trading, with points being sold for up to 25 Danish krone whilst the price of a bottle of beer was just 5 krone. However, consumption dropped from 18.7 litres (approx. 4½ gallons) per person to 13.8 litres (approx. 3½ gallons) by 1980. Following the scrapping of the rationing system in 1982, consumption rose to 22 litres (around 5 gallons) per person.
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