In order to inculcate the habit of responsible and controlled drinking, the President of the Republic signed a decree on November 9, 1990 which lays down conditions and procedures for the operation of drinking spots nationwide.

Chapter two of the decree classifies documents needed for the operation of drinking spots and further categorises on and off licenses and the kinds of drinks to be sold therein.

With operational licenses to be authorised either by the Senior Divisional Officer or the Divisional Officer depending on the category of bar, the authorisation as stated in Article 8 of the decree cannot be issued to minors, persons charged with violence or violent threats and persons with questionable moral integrity.

Article 14 of the aforementioned decree which is in respect to the location of such drinking venues compels the location of a bar not less than 200 meters from hospitals, dispensaries, educational establishments or churches.

As concerns the opening and closing of on and off licenses, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji on May 28, 2020 during the monthly cabinet meeting with the Prime Minister specified that administrative authorities have increased the number of visits to dinking spots to ensure the respect of defined times in the November 9,1990 decree.