Poll: Most Czechs think gov't handled methanol affair correctly

Prague, Oct 17 (CTK) - Almost three-quarters of Czechs or 70 percent are of the view that the government took correct steps in the recent affair of methanol poisonings from bootleg alcohol, while 30 percent do not agree with its measures, according to a STEM poll released to CTK yesterday.

The scandal erupted in early September. Since then methanol in bootleg liquor has claimed 28 lives. Tens of people have been hospitalised with methanol poisoning symptoms in the country.

In reaction to it, the government first banned the sale of liquor at kiosks. Later it also banned the sale of all spirits containing more than 20 percent of alcohol across the country for two weeks and imposed a ban on all exports of such spirits under the pressure of the EU.

Some 70 percent of Czechs agree with the government steps in the methanol affair.

On the contrary, 12 percent of the polled clearly oppose the prohibition and other government steps and another 18 percent say they rather disagree with them.

There were no major differences of opinions between various groups of Czech inhabitants.

People with elementary education only and rather bad living standards as well as inhabitants of Moravian regions showed less understanding for the prohibition measures.

On the other hand, the inhabitants of Prague and Central Bohemia expressed more understanding for the government steps than other groups.

The government measures were primarily criticised by liquor producers and dealers.

However, President Vaclav Klaus, too, challenged the prohibition, calling it an unreasonable and exaggerated solution.

Since 27 September it has been allowed to sell hard liquor freely again, but only the spirits made last year and earlier or bottles with a certificate confirming the origin of alcohol.

Besides, the government plans to ban the sale of liquor at kiosks and in vending machines, tighten the punishment for serving alcohol to the underage and set sanctions for forging alcohol stamps and certificates proving its origin.

The STEM agency conducted the poll on 1061 inhabitants of the Czech Republic over 18 years on September 24-October 2.