The French government has imposed restrictions on alcohol sales in central Paris and surrounding departments as a severe heatwave pushes eastward across the continent. The move, announced by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, aims to reduce dehydration and related hospital admissions amid temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
The heatwave, which has already claimed lives in Spain and Portugal, is expected to reach the United Kingdom within 48 hours. The UK Met Office has issued an amber warning for parts of southern and eastern England, cautioning that temperatures could hit 36 degrees Celsius and that similar public health measures may become necessary.
In Paris, officials have banned the sale of takeaway alcohol between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in areas with high foot traffic, including major tourist sites and transport hubs. Police will enforce the restriction, which remains in place until the heatwave subsides. Hospitals have been placed on standby, and cooling centres have been opened in public buildings.
The UK is now assessing its response. The Met Office warns that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, face significant risk. Local authorities have been advised to prepare emergency cooling stations and check on at-risk residents.
This heatwave, originating from North Africa, has broken temperature records across Europe. The French meteorological service Météo-France reports that June 2023 is on track to be the hottest in decades. The UK’s amber warning covers much of the East Midlands and East Anglia, with the possibility of an escalation to red if conditions worsen.
Health experts emphasise that alcohol consumption exacerbates heat stress by accelerating dehydration. The Paris restrictions are a precautionary measure: during the 2003 European heatwave, which killed over 14,000 people in France, alcohol-related dehydration was a contributing factor in many deaths.
The UK government has not yet announced any alcohol restrictions, but the Secretary of State for Health has stated that all options remain under review if temperatures reach critical levels.
