In Geneva, a majority in the Grand Council was emerging to simplify the procedure which allows alcohol and tobacco to be sold to take away. But the bill was finally sent back to committee Thursday evening for further study.
“The Council of State was not heard and neither were the circles concerned,” lamented the head of the Department of the Economy Delphine Bachmann. The State Councilor added that she did not support this administrative simplification which favors the distribution of alcohol to the general public.
The draft amendment to the law on the free delivery and take-away sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and tobacco-like products (LTGVEAT), originating from the ranks of the Liberties and Social Justice (LJS) movement , was immediately sent back to committee. It aimed to simplify administrative procedures for some 2,300 businesses that sell take-away alcohol and tobacco.
Currently, authorization is limited to four years. It must then be renewed. The text under discussion Thursday provided for unlimited authorization. “This bill is not intended to eliminate the request for prior authorization,” insisted LJS deputy Vincent Canonica, author of the bill and majority rapporteur.
“Too many documents”
According to Mr. Canonica, this periodic renewal generates administrative and financial burdens that are too heavy for merchants. This involves providing several documents, including an extract from the criminal record, a certificate of good conduct and morals and a certificate of civil capacity.
But for the left-wing minority, the sale of alcohol and tobacco is not trivial, particularly in terms of the protection of minors. The test purchases are giving worrying results, underlined the socialist and minority rapporteur Sophie Demaurex. Health must not be neglected in favor of the economy, insisted the socialist representative.
Discussions will resume in the Health Committee. During its first appearance before the Economy Committee, the bill was supported by LJS, the MCG, the PLR as well as the UDC. The Greens and the Socialists opposed it while the Center abstained.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
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