My first experience with state owned liquor stores was in Norway. At first I was shocked at finding them - they look more like a pharmacy than a store - after thinking about it, I could probably accept those in my life.
After all - if you want to purchase liquor you still can. But why not monopolise the revenue from the stores to the state, while distributing what is a dangerous substance in a controlled way. If you start purchasing too much, then you can get flagged as needing help. I'm pretty sure that's why Norway does it - you don't want too much dangerous drinking during the long winters.
I'm normally against any type of state intervention like this, but I can see the benefits. Provided, of course, that the revenue is used to offset personal income taxes- which is probably naive on my part.
After all - if you want to purchase liquor you still can. But why not monopolise the revenue from the stores to the state, while distributing what is a dangerous substance in a controlled way. If you start purchasing too much, then you can get flagged as needing help. I'm pretty sure that's why Norway does it - you don't want too much dangerous drinking during the long winters.
I'm normally against any type of state intervention like this, but I can see the benefits. Provided, of course, that the revenue is used to offset personal income taxes- which is probably naive on my part.