When we arrive at the hairdresser we are regularly asked if we want a coffee, a tea or even a glass of water... Well now, in California, customers can also choose to sip a beer or a glass of red wine, in all legality! The practice was already widespread in the American state but was discreet, illegality obliges.
Since January 1, 2017, the end of discretion, a law authorizes all Californian beauty salons to serve free beer or wine to their customers, without even needing a license. Obviously, the alcohol will not flow freely since the authorized quantities cannot exceed 35cl for beer and around 18cl for red wine, the equivalent of a large glass. If the announcement was well received by hair salons, beauty salons, barbers and customers, associations fighting against alcoholism did not see it very favorably. The California Alcohol Policy Alliance particularly deplored the implementation of this law which, according to her, enriches “the special interest of some and of the alcohol lobby, to the detriment of the health and safety of the members of our community”. Others fear that the situation will encourage consumption among minors. But not all of his claims got the better of the bill, which was finally approved by California Governor Jerry Brown and passed.
