GENEVA – Free beer will reportedly be verboten soon in Switzerland, if the government has its way.
Swiss weekly Sonntag says the Cabinet has drafted a plan to ban restaurateurs from offering any free drinks to customers.
It cited the director of the Swiss Alcohol Board on Sunday as saying an existing ban on promotions involving other alcoholic beverages would be extended to include beer.
Alexandre Schmidt says publicans would still be allowed to offer "spontaneous" rounds to regulars.
The proposal has drawn strong opposition from the hospitality industry as free beer promotions are common in bars, restaurants and at public events in Switzerland.
Gastrosuisse chief Bernhard Kuster likened the new law to prohibition and said it would do nothing to stop alcohol abuse.
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