Twenty-two shades of grey – An analysis of alcohol regulations in the Arab world
Abstract
This article compares alcohol regulations across 22 Arab League member countries. We use an explorative, qualitative approach based on official regulations, expert interviews, published articles and a questionnaire to provide a comprehensive and realistic overview of the regulatory and societal landscape, and we derive a prohibition index. Our findings reveal divergent situations and trends in various subregions. Some countries, such as Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, have imposed a total ban on alcohol due to religious principles. Similar but unwritten restrictions apply in conflict-torn countries such as Iraq and Libya. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Lebanon takes a more tolerant approach, with alcohol being generally available . In between, countries like Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates seek to strike a balance between preserving tradition and catering to open-minded youth and expatriates. We observe that any form of alcohol prohibition inevitably leads to the development of illegal markets that challenge public health, as in the case of migrant workers in Qatar. Despite legal frameworks, taboos and societal shame still play a significant role in shaping alcohol consumption, challenging modernization strategies.
DOI:
Publication date: 22/09/2025
Issue: 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine
Type: Short communication
Authors
1 University of Bayreuth
2 University of California Davis