Binge Drinking

Charles Oliver | May 10, 2004

When companies engage in a price war that slashes prices in half, that's good, right? Not according to the government of Norway. Competition among retailers has pushed the price of beer down too low, according to the government, which maintains some of the highest alcohol taxes in Europe. The taxes are so high that many people brew their own beer or buy it in neighboring countries. To try to entice people to buy more beer, some stores have been selling it as a loss, but the government says they have to stop that or lose their licenses.