| Prohibition and Afterwards |
Because of its high alcoholic strength, and the constant campaigns of the
prohibitionist movement, the production and sale of absinthe became
increasingly heavily taxed and tightly regulated from the early 1900's.
Specific laws concerning absinthe were posted in bars and bistrots.
prohibitionist movement, the production and sale of absinthe became
increasingly heavily taxed and tightly regulated from the early 1900's.
Specific laws concerning absinthe were posted in bars and bistrots.
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The Prohibition of Absinthe
Notices advertising a ban on the retail sale of absinthe, with penalties for its continued sale, were posted throughout France
in August 1914. In March 1915 absinthe was declared a toxic product, and its manufacture and sale were completely
prohibited.
Notices advertising a ban on the retail sale of absinthe, with penalties for its continued sale, were posted throughout France
in August 1914. In March 1915 absinthe was declared a toxic product, and its manufacture and sale were completely
prohibited.
The Aftermath of Prohibition
The period immediately after the ban were characterised by the beginnings of clandestine distillation, while the authorities
sought to strengthen the ban by prohibiting not just absinthe, but all similar and related alcoholic products as well.
The period immediately after the ban were characterised by the beginnings of clandestine distillation, while the authorities
sought to strengthen the ban by prohibiting not just absinthe, but all similar and related alcoholic products as well.
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Absinthe and Gunpowder
Several different schemes were put in place to compensate the absinthe distilleries both for the revenues they lost due to the
ban, and for their existing stocks of absinthe. One of the most interesting was the purchase, re-distillation and reuse of
absinthe to make the gunpowder for shells.
Several different schemes were put in place to compensate the absinthe distilleries both for the revenues they lost due to the
ban, and for their existing stocks of absinthe. One of the most interesting was the purchase, re-distillation and reuse of
absinthe to make the gunpowder for shells.
