Unfair for those with an alcohol problem
Alcohol is a genetic disease says Kári Stefánsson who thinks the alcohol bill will contribute to alcholism in Iceland. Mbl.is/ Sverrir Vilhelmsson
Neurologist and CEO of DeCODE Genetics, Kári Stefánsson writes an opnion piece in Morgunblaðið today where he criticises the parliamentary bill on the retail sale of alcohol in Iceland. He says that alcohol in shops would be too tempting for those with an alcohol problem.
DeCode genetics have been conducting research recently on genetic addiction.
He says that the aim of the alchol bill seems to lessen the trouble peoople go to when they want to purchase alcohol but that it would increase the problem of those people who don't want to buy alcohol but will find it difficult to resist once its in their supermarket.
"Alcohol is an addictive drug and I'm sure that the movers of the bill realise although they pretend not to," writes Stefánsson. He points out that 15 % of Icelanders have sought help for alcoholism and adds that those people fit into a very narrow definition of alcholism. There are 48,000 Icelanders today who would be tempted by having alcohol available in supermarkets.
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