The group that has gome through the swedish alcohol law, has send their recommendation to the swedish government. Most of the report focuses on licencing for selling alcohol in pubs and nightclubs. The group proposes that all muncipaliticies should have guidelines for how this should be regulated. Besides these they propose minor liberalisations, but that alcohol should not be served after 03.00 anywhere. Today the limit is 05.00, and several restaurants in the three major cities are open until then.

Leader of IOGT-NTO, Sven Olov Carlsson is pleased with the proposal to set a limit at 03.00. «This is one step on the road towards less alcoholrelated violence», he says in a press realease. There is a clear connection between late opening hours and street violence. In Sweden 8 out of 10 offenders are intoxicated. Especially outside restaurants and pubs violence happens. Carlsson says that IOGT-NTO don`t think people shouldn`t go out and have a good time, but that they shouldn`t feel unsafe doing it. IOGT-NTO is concerned about other recommendations the group makes though, and fear that relaxing some of the rules about the place that is serving alcohol can lead to new types of restaurants now will apply for licence. This could mean an increase in the number of places selling alcohol.

Also the police has asked for earlier closing hours.