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January 18, 2020A crackdown on the sale of alcohol in three of the most popular places in Ibiza and Majorca. The local authorities of the two Balearic islands have, in fact, decided to ban happy hour and organized pub tours - the so-called 'pub crawls' imported from Great Britain - to put a stop to the phenomenon of 'alcohol tourism'. El Pais reports it. It is, say local authorities, the first such law in Europe.

From now on the premises in Playa de Palma and Magaluf (Majorca) and Sant Antoni (Ibiza) who will break the law risk paying a fine of up to 600,000 euros and the closure for three years. The new rules also require that stores that sell alcohol remain closed from 9 to 8 and all vending machines for alcoholic beverages will be eliminated.

'Balconing' is also forbidden, the crazy practice of moving from one balcony to another or throwing yourself out of a hotel window or balcony to center an underlying pool which, in recent years, has claimed several victims among tourists, mostly very young.

The law puts an end to products that were regular in recent years such as ethyl excursions, 2x1 offers, happy hours or open bars. To stop these practices, advertising and promotions in tourist premises are prohibited.

There are however exceptions: weddings, baptisms, communions and professional conferences that take place in hotels and restaurants.