Alcohol Consumption In Afghanistan: A Cultural Perspective

Afghanistan is one of 16 countries in the world where drinking alcohol is illegal for most citizens. Possession and consumption of alcohol by Afghan nationals is prohibited, and offenders can be punished in accordance with Sharia law. However, the Afghan government allows various outlets to distribute alcohol to foreign journalists and tourists, and foreigners entering the country are allowed to bring in two litres of alcohol. Alcohol is also available on the black market, and some Afghans make their own illicit liquor.

Foreigners entering Afghanistan are allowed to bring two bottles or two litres of alcohol into the country

Afghanistan is an Islamic country with strict laws against the possession and consumption of alcohol for its nationals. However, the country has a long tradition of producing and consuming alcoholic beverages, especially wine, dating back to at least the fourth century BC.

The Afghan government allows licensed establishments to distribute alcoholic beverages to foreign journalists and tourists, and alcohol consumption is prevalent on the black market. Foreigners entering Afghanistan are permitted to bring two bottles or two litres of alcohol into the country. This allowance is a pragmatic compromise, acknowledging the reality that many expatriates living in or visiting the country wish to drink.

The enforcement of alcohol laws in Afghanistan can be inconsistent, and the rules have changed over time. For example, prior to the Taliban takeover in August 2021, foreign tourists were allowed to import limited quantities of alcohol when entering the country. However, since the Taliban regained control, the rules have become stricter, and the sale and consumption of alcohol by Afghan Muslims are prohibited.

Despite the risks, some Afghans continue to produce and consume alcohol, particularly in Kabul and the western city of Herat, where good homemade wine is reported to be readily available at reasonable prices.

Alcohol is prohibited for Afghan nationals, with punishments including fines, imprisonment, or 60 lashes

Afghanistan is one of 16 countries in the world where drinking alcohol is illegal for most of its citizens. There is a total ban on alcohol for Muslim Afghan nationals, with punishments for drinking including fines, imprisonment, or 60 lashes.

While alcohol consumption and possession are prohibited for Afghan nationals, the Afghan government provides licenses for various outlets to distribute alcoholic beverages to foreign journalists and tourists. Foreigners entering Afghanistan are allowed to bring two bottles or two litres of alcoholic beverages with them. This double standard has caused resentment among some Afghans.

Alcohol has a long tradition in Afghanistan, with production and consumption, especially of wine, dating back to at least the fourth century BC. Medieval times saw a flourishing wine production, which ended in the 18th century. Attempts to restart production in the 1960s were ended by the Taliban.

Since the fall of the Taliban, various bars and outlets in Afghanistan have begun to offer alcohol to foreigners and tourists. Kabul has had an active and vibrant nightlife, with a large expatriate community of young, well-paid diplomats, security staff, and international aid organisations.

However, the enforcement of the law is inconsistent, and alcohol is widely available on the black market, especially in Kabul and the western city of Herat, where good homemade wine is reported to be readily available at reasonable prices. Afghans who consume alcohol risk strict punishments, including lashes and jail time, to continue this tradition.

Alcohol is available on the black market, especially in Kabul and Herat

Alcohol is widely available on the black market in Afghanistan, especially in the capital city of Kabul and the western city of Herat. In Kabul, alcohol is readily available in the city's affluent Shar-e-Naw neighbourhood, where shopkeepers frequently bribe authorities to be allowed to continue selling alcohol. Kabul's Bush Bazaar, once a thriving market for U.S. military gear and foodstuffs, is also a big seller of alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic beer.

In Herat, good homemade wine is reported to be readily available at reasonable prices. Alcohol smuggling via Uzbekistan is a large business in the northern part of the country, and alcohol was more widely consumed in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

The Afghan government prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by Afghan nationals. However, the government provides licenses for outlets to distribute alcoholic beverages to foreign journalists and tourists.

German troops were allowed two cans of beer or equivalent per day before a ban was imposed in 2021

In Afghanistan, the consumption and possession of alcohol by Afghan nationals is prohibited. However, foreign military troops have been allowed to consume alcohol in limited quantities. German troops, for instance, were permitted to consume two cans of beer or the equivalent in other beverages per day before a ban was imposed in 2021.

Germany had approximately 1,000 troops in Afghanistan, making it the second-highest contributor of coalition troops after the United States. These troops were stationed at Camp Marmal, near the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

In June 2021, the German military announced that it would withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and imposed a ban on alcohol consumption for security reasons. This decision led to a surplus of alcohol at Camp Marmal, with approximately 60,000 cans of beer and hundreds of bottles of wine and sparkling wine. The German military hired a civilian contractor to transport the alcohol out of Afghanistan, as it could not be sold or destroyed due to local religious and cultural restrictions. The contractor was expected to sell the alcohol elsewhere, and the proceeds would cover the transportation costs.

The German troops' alcohol allowance had previously been a controversial topic in Germany, with critics arguing that it undermined the country's claims of a professional approach to the Afghan mission. However, the German defence ministry maintained that the supply levels indicated that soldiers were within the allowed limit.

US soldiers are banned from consuming alcohol in Afghanistan, but they can still obtain it

Alcohol consumption in Afghanistan has a long tradition, dating back to at least the fourth century BC. However, in modern times, the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited for Afghan nationals. The law is enforced according to Sharia law, and those found in violation can face fines, imprisonment, or 60 lashes with a whip. Despite this, alcohol is still available through black markets, especially in Kabul and Herat.

Foreign journalists, tourists, and military troops are exempt from the ban. Foreigners entering Afghanistan are allowed to bring in two bottles or two litres of alcoholic beverages. Prior to 2009, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters in Afghanistan had several bars that served tax-free alcohol. However, after an incident in which civilians died in air strikes, General Stanley McChrystal, the head of ISAF, banned alcohol from the premises for both American and foreign soldiers.

Since the ban, US defence officials have occasionally found alcohol on bases. According to reports, alcohol reaches US bases through foreign dealers or is sent by family and friends in bottles disguised as other liquids.

The issue of alcohol consumption by US soldiers in Afghanistan has gained attention following incidents of violence allegedly caused by a US soldier under the influence of alcohol. Despite the ban, US officers sometimes turn a blind eye to drinking, or drink themselves. Alcohol-related charges have been involved in a significant number of Army criminal prosecutions of soldiers in Afghanistan.

Frequently asked questions