Bulgarians Not Keen on Following the Leader When It Comes to Limiting Alcohol

Bulgaria’s Communist authorities are following Moscow’s lead with a campaign to limit drinking, but it appears to be having limited success.

Measures have been promulgated over the last year, most recently in November, to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages. But many restaurants, bars and cafes seem to be flouting the rules.

“It appears to be a gesture of solidarity with (Mikhail S.) Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign in the Soviet Union,” a Western diplomat said of the Bulgarian effort. “They announced a clampdown, but nothing was really done.”

Inspection teams who recently toured bars and restaurants reported violations of the rules throughout the country.

Drinking on Job

At many communes and factories, they found workers drinking on the job. Numerous bars and restaurants were disobeying the rule on drinking hours--selling hard spirits before 6 p.m. Also, many were selling to those under 18.

Staff at restaurants and pastry shops said they were unaware of the latest regulations. Others said the authorities had not stopped them from selling drink, so they just carried on.

Privately, people get around the rules by drowning their sorrows at home, drinking their own fiery brands of bootleg wine and spirits.

Bulgarians are great beer drinkers, and their favorite drinks are local cognac, vodka and plum brandy, as well as imported Scotch. They also produce fruity red wines.

Less of a Problem

Western diplomats said alcoholism was far less a problem in Bulgaria than it has been in the Soviet Union.

Bulgaria has fewer economic problems than Romania, its neighbor to the north, where massive food shortages drive many people to drink.

Bulgarians also appear more relaxed than their other Communist counterparts in Eastern Europe.

However, articles in Bulgarian papers and magazines last year indicated alcoholism was one of the nation’s biggest social problems.

About 300,000 people out of a population of 9 million were registered as chronic alcoholics. However, based on remarks among the general public, the number of alcoholics could be 10 times higher.

Last February the ruling Communist Party totally banned alcohol from government ministries, enterprises and work places. The regime also discouraged imbibing at weddings and funerals.

This was linked politically to calls for discipline as part of Bulgaria’s economic reform program.

It followed reports in the Bulgarian press that alcohol was seriously and adversely affecting the performance of workers.

Alcoholism was also linked to crime and accidents and some official publications linked it to increasing decadence among youth. Discotheques were closed or converted into yogurt bars.

Official reports said that 78 people were killed by drunk drivers in 1985. Also, 80% of violent crime and 90% of acts of hooliganism were committed by drunks. About 20,000 divorces were also blamed on drinking problems.

The party newspaper Rabotnichesko Delo said alcohol for domestic consumption would be cut by 10% and imports sharply reduced. Homemade alcohol was also to be reduced.