Greenland debates national alcohol policy with children’s rights at the centre

20.05.2026 - Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, has held a debate on whether the country should develop a national alcohol policy with children’s rights as the guiding principle. The debate, held on 13 May 2026, was proposed by Nivi Rosing from Inuit Ataqatigiit and asked how Greenland should balance adults’ individual freedom with the protection of children from alcohol-related harm.

The proposal placed the discussion firmly within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It argued that if Greenland is serious about children growing up in safe surroundings, difficult political decisions may be needed. The proposal referred to research showing strong links between alcohol problems in the home and children’s exposure to insecurity, violence and sexual abuse.

In her proposal, Rosing pointed out that Greenland already has several initiatives addressing alcohol-related harm, including Inuuneritta III, but still lacks one comprehensive national alcohol policy that gives a clear direction for prevention, regulation and the protection of children. The proposal therefore asked parties to state whether Greenland should develop such a policy, whether children’s rights should be its overall principle, and how children and young people can be protected while still taking account of adults’ personal freedom.

Naalakkersuisut responded positively to the debate. In its answer, the government stated that Greenland should develop a national alcohol policy and said it wants to develop a national alcohol agreement in cooperation with the other parties. The response also stressed that the professional recommendations circulated to Inatsisartut in autumn 2025 were not intended to limit individual freedom for its own sake, but to protect children, young people and future generations from a public health perspective.

The debate follows the publication of professional recommendations for a multi-year, evidence-based alcohol policy. Naalakkersuisut announced in October 2025 that these recommendations should form the basis for a broad political alcohol agreement and a long-term, sustainable alcohol policy. The recommendations were developed after an Inatsisartut decision in 2023 and were prepared in cooperation with the Center for Folkesundhed i Grønland and WHO/Europe.

According to Naalakkersuisut, Government of Greenland, the recommendations are rooted in Greenlandic conditions and values, while also drawing on WHO recommendations for evidence-based and cost-effective alcohol policy. They focus especially on protecting children from growing up in families affected by substance problems, violence and abuse, and on helping to break the cycle of social inheritance. Naalakkersuisut has stated that the recommended policy could bring gains such as longer life expectancy, less violence, fewer suicides and better well-being among children and young people.

Party statements showed broad agreement that children must be protected, but also reflected different views on how far alcohol regulation should go. Inuit Ataqatigiit called for a long-term alcohol policy that parties can stand behind beyond election cycles. Siumut supported a comprehensive national policy with children’s needs and rights at the centre, while also stressing prevention, treatment, family support and accessible help across the country.

Demokraatit supported the principle that children must come first, but warned against unnecessary restrictions that could affect adults who use alcohol responsibly. The party argued for a targeted and evidence-based policy, with early intervention, better treatment and clearer responsibility when alcohol leads to neglect, violence or insecurity in the home. Atassut also supported the protection of children, but placed stronger emphasis on dialogue and warned that higher prices may mainly affect people with lower incomes without necessarily changing the behaviour of heavy consumers.

The debate took place at a time when alcohol availability was already a public issue in Greenland. From the beginning of May, Brugseni and Pisiffik changed alcohol sales hours on Saturdays as a trial measure, opening alcohol sales only from noon. According to KNR, the change was made in cooperation with Greenland Police and aimed at preventing resale, disturbances, insecurity and noise.

UNICEF Greenland also called for a national alcohol policy shortly before the parliamentary debate. In an interview with KNR, UNICEF’s programme chief in Greenland, Tina Dam, said that children’s right to protection must come before adults’ access to alcohol. UNICEF said that children and young people had repeatedly described fear and unpredictability when adults drink too much, and called for measures that shield children from intoxicated adults, create safe alcohol-free communities and strengthen support for families affected by alcohol problems.

The broad support for a national alcohol policy is an important step. The harder question will be whether this political agreement can also lead to concrete measures on availability, marketing, pricing, prevention, treatment and early support for children and families.

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Source: Inatsisartut