The proposal by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ban duty-free alcohol globally has now been removed. Lobbyists from the European Retail Council (ETRC) and other travel-retail organisations and associated companies have worked hard for six weeks following the release of the proposal in early December. ETRC secretary general Keith Spinks is pleased with the result, after intensive talks with government representatives from all over the world. “Our message was clear-duty-free is not part... ...Read more »

The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking into the prospect of a global ban on duty-free alcohol – a move that has taken many by surprise. A strategy paper released earlier this month by the WHO indicated such a move was firmly on their agenda. It said governments should consider “taxing sales of alcoholic beverages to, and/or the importation of such beverages by, international travellers on the same basis as if such travellers had purchased such beverages in the domestic market... ...Read more »