SWEDEN MIGHT SELL LIQUOR ON SATURDAYS

STOCKHOLM---A 16-year ban on Saturday sales at Sweden's state-run alcohol
shops could end if current Social Affairs Minister Margot Wallstrom has her
way.

Despite images internationally of Sweden as a liberal, free-living country,
the sale of alcohol is tightly controlled by the state to discourage
excessive drinking, with all but lowalcohol beer available only from state
shops, or Systembolagets.

The social affairs minister is campaigning to reopen alcohol shops Saturdays.

She said that the large amounts of alcohol smuggled into Sweden to beat
high taxes and the increased consumption of home brew had defeated the
purpose of the closure.

A survey in a National Railway Authority newspaper, Kupe, this summer found
68 percent of 1,000 Swedes questioned thought Systembolagets should open
Saturdays.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan