Alkohol Smuggling in Iran
Consumption of alcohol according to Islamic rules is forbidden in Iran. Iran began restricting alcohol consumption and production soon after the 1979 Revolution, with harsh penalties meted out for violations of the law. However, there is widespread violation of the law. Officially recognized non-Muslim minorities are allowed to produce alcoholic beverages for their own private consumption and for religious rites such as the Eucharist.However, the effective demand for this product is increasing among Iranians and black market of this commodity is very profitable. Smugglers import alcoholic drinks mainly from Turkey and Kurdistan of Iraqs.
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The following text is the executive summary of a report on this issue by Euromonitor International :
Alcoholic drinks strictly forbidden
Alcoholic drinks are strictly forbidden and even tourists from non-Islamic origin are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country. Carrying and drinking alcoholic beverage is also strictly forbidden. Western and non-Islamic tourists have no exemption.
Non-alcoholic beer available
Consumer can buy many types of soft non-alcoholic drinks in Iran with both local and international brands served everywhere. Even though Iranians widely drink tap water, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer are also very popular. Malt drinks are widely available in different flavours and often are advertised by local producers as very healthy drinks. On its own website, leading non-alcoholic beer, soft, and malt drinks manufacturer Behnoush Iran Co recommends malt drinks as being good for pregnant women and also advises the consumption of at least two litres of malt beverage in one hour to get rid of kidney and urinary tract stones.
Wine available despite restrictions
Wine has been a major part of Iranian culture since ancient times, and this tradition has continued despite current governmental restrictions. The major wine-producing centres of Iran are Qazvin, Orumia, Shiraz, and to a lesser extent, Isfahan. Red wine is the most common variety and also the most popular, with white wine also enjoying a strong position in the north of the country. Wine-producers are often, but not always, either of Armenian or Zoroastrian background, as non-Muslim minority groups are entitled the right to produce wine (and other alcoholic beverages) for their own use. Although it is illegal for them to sell wine to other Iranians and to foreign visitors, this rule is not generally followed and their wine is easily obtainable anywhere in the country where it is produced or distributed. The Armenian producers of Orumia and Isfahan are, in particular, renowned for their sweet and sparkling red wines.
Black market has a strong presence
Iran has a bustling black market for alcohol illegally imported from neighbouring countries including Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, and especially Iraq’s Kurdistan.
Despite the prohibition of alcoholic drinks, under the counter sales have risen sharply in the course of the last few months of 2005, and sales volume has reached an all-time high on the black market. The increasing younger generation (nearly three-quarters of the Iranian population is under the age of 30), an increasing unemployment rate, runaway inflation, and a greater interest in Western lifestyles, have all played prime roles in the growth of black market alcoholic drinks in Iran.
Big hotels supply alcoholic drinks for foreign guests in confidence through the black market. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is common among people especially during parties and weddings.
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Here you can watch a documentary film on smuggling of alcohol in Iran:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AkL91MFMJPg
posted by Mohammad Reza Farzanegan @ 05:42
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