Five years ago, the Government of the Balearic Islands enacted the so-called 'anti-excess' decree to put an end to binge drinking tourism.
This legislation prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages after 9:30 p.m. and decreed the illegality of accumulating alcoholic bottles in store windows, especially in the most touristy areas. Signs that encourage alcohol consumption such as "open bar, free bar, happy hour, 2x1, 3x1" or similar are also prohibited.
However, not all businesses have complied. An establishment in Palma was caught by the local police selling alcohol beyond midnight.
After the corresponding administrative file, a serious sanction was imposed, the fine of which reached 60,000 euros, according to the Diario de Mallorca.
The sanctioned businesswoman appealed to the courts, but was unsuccessful. The court recalled that restrictions on the free exercise of commercial activity "are permitted if they respect the principles of necessity and proportionality."
In this case, it considered the fine justified to defend the "public order, public health and the safety and health of consumers" as well as "avoid the degradation of these tourist areas and the alteration of coexistence caused by these behaviors."
