Greenlandic police celebrate alcohol ban that has led to halving of reports

Just under a month ago, politicians in Greenland decided to introduce an alcohol ban to address the challenges associated with alcohol consumption in southern Greenland.

Now the effects can be felt by the Greenland Police, who are very pleased with the ban.

"It is very, very clear to us that the police have less to deal with," says Police Director Bjørn Tegner Bay.

"We have seen more than a halving of reports," he adds.

The ban came in the wake of an alcohol-related homicide and means that alcohol can no longer be purchased in supermarkets or bars.

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Can solve other tasks

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It is in serious areas of crime that the number of reports has decreased, says Bjørn Tegner Bay.

"It's disturbances in the home, intoxicated people on the streets, assault cases, and sexual crimes. It's pretty much across the board on what we call personal injury crime."

At the Brugsen supermarket in Qaqortoq, they are not experiencing any problems related to the ban on alcohol sales.

This means the police now have time to focus on other areas, including preventive work.

"Things like going out to our municipal bailiffs in the small settlements and doing things we otherwise find it hard to find time for in daily life," says Bjørn Tegner Bay.

The police have also registered a positive effect when it comes to general safety in the home.

"We are experiencing that the ban has had a very large effect on children's sense of safety. I base this partly on the fact that we see a decrease in the area of disturbances in the home."

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Alcohol consumption in Greenland and Denmark

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In 2025, the average alcohol consumption per person over 14 in Greenland was 8.3 litres of pure alcohol.

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In Denmark, alcohol consumption averaged 8.8 litres of pure alcohol per person over 18.

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34 percent of people over 15 in Greenland drink five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once a month.

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25 percent of people over 16 in Denmark drink five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once a month.

Sources: Statistics Denmark and Statistics Greenland, the 2018 Population Survey, and the National Institute of Public Health

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Mayor satisfied

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It was Malene Vahl Rasmussen, mayor of the Municipality of Kujalleq in South Greenland, who implemented the total ban on alcohol sales in the municipality.

"We want to be a municipality where children and families can feel safe. If we are to set that direction, it is also important to set a limit for what is acceptable."

She acknowledges that it is a drastic decision to completely shut down alcohol sales, but points to some of the same positive knock-on effects as the police director.

The mayor of the Municipality of Kujalleq is largely pleased with the knock-on effects of the ban.

"It has had a major impact on children's well-being during this period. It has also had an impact on police work and on the work of the healthcare system."

According to Malene Vahl Rasmussen, there has also been a decrease in the number of notifications to the municipality during the period.

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A homicide was the last straw

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The alcohol ban was introduced after an alcohol-related homicide of a 37-year-old man in the South Greenlandic town of Nanortalik.

"We can no longer stand by passively and watch the negative consequences that alcohol consumption has on our surroundings and simply wait for another serious incident to occur in our society," wrote the mayor of the Municipality of Kujalleq in a press release ( https://www.kujalleq.gl/da/nyheder/2026/10/borgmester-malene-vahl-rasmussen-vores-alkoholforbrug-er-ikke-laengere-forsvarligt/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUs-8BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMWtNMmlmUThUdTNpZlNBcThzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEexc7hvqRmx8cJO8Qe5Yozt3qAUCCqvkKCH80UJgJzoP90_XicTSKuflHrOpE_aem_4svBf3rZE_BmdLg4JwquLA ).

The ban has also sparked enthusiasm from Kjeld Møller Pedersen, chairman of the Greenland Health Council. He has previously told DR News that he regrets that stricter rules on alcohol sales were not introduced sooner.

The Health Council had given recommendations for tightening alcohol regulations two years ago.

"It will clearly be perceived by many as relatively restrictive, but it is probably necessary. They are good recommendations and something that can protect children and young people," said Kjeld Møller Pedersen earlier this month.

The recommendations include raising the age limit for purchasing alcohol from 18 to 21, introducing a public monopoly on alcohol sales as in Sweden, and closing alcohol sales in shops on weekends.

Right now, there is no end date for the ban.

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