Tamil Nadu Implements New Liquor Regulations: Early Shop Closures and Age Enforcement
Tamil Nadu liquor shops to close early? Check TASMAC proposal on timing change and 'new' legal drinking age
The Economic Times
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The Tamil Nadu government is enforcing stricter liquor sales regulations, including a legal drinking age of 21 and closing 717 TASMAC outlets near sensitive areas. Proposed changes may also reduce operational hours from 10 PM to 8 PM, addressing public health concerns while balancing revenue from liquor sales.
- 01The legal drinking age in Tamil Nadu is reaffirmed at 21 years.
- 02717 TASMAC liquor outlets will close, reducing total outlets to 4,048.
- 03The closures target shops near schools, religious sites, and bus stands.
- 04Proposed changes may shorten shop hours from 10 PM to 8 PM.
- 05TASMAC generated ₹48,344 crore in revenue in 2025, making it a major revenue source.
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The Tamil Nadu government has announced a crackdown on liquor sales, reaffirming that the legal drinking age is 21 years. In a bid to curb underage drinking and address public concerns, 717 TASMAC liquor outlets will close, reducing the total number from 4,765 to 4,048. The closures will target shops located near sensitive areas, including 276 near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stands. Additionally, the government is considering a proposal to change the operational hours of TASMAC outlets from the current 12 noon to 10 PM to 8 PM. This measure aims to balance public health concerns with the significant revenue generated by TASMAC, which reported ₹48,344 crore in sales in 2025, making it the second-highest revenue-generating department in the state.
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These changes aim to reduce underage drinking and improve public health while still generating significant revenue for the state.
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