Zero alcohol drinks
Cans of Suntory Holdings' "Strong Zero Dry" vodka tonic are displayed with other ready-to-drink cans of alcohol as a man shops at a supermarket in Tokyo Japanese brewers will release their longest-ever line-up of canned cocktails this summer as fizzy concoctions come to the fore in efforts to offset a decade of declining beer sales. Picture taken June 29, 2014. REUTERS

Canada's Cardston city made history on Monday by rejecting the temptations of the liquor lobby. Majority voted against liquor sales and opted to stay dry and respect the 109- year-old tradition of the town in terms of its ban on alcohol sales.

Cardston is the southern town in the Alberta province. The plebiscite was held on Monday. The town stays dry because of the values and beliefs practised by the predominantly Mormon community, reports Cbc. ca. The town, some 240 kilometres south of Calgary, has been drier than tumbleweeds. There are no liquor stores within its town limits. Even having a beer with a pizza at the local restaurant is impossible.

The values of the Mormon community prohibit drinking coffee, tea and alcohol. It also teaches that Sundays have to be spent on reflection and it must be observed as a holy day.

Clear Verdict

The plebiscite was warranted because of the demands of a section of local business owners who were cribbing about losing business and wanted to sell booze. The pro-liquor lobby wanted restaurants to be allowed the sale of liquor with a meal, as well as in places like local golf course and other recreational facilities.

The town has 3,500 residents who are 80 percent Mormon and rejected the proposal. Monday's vote was a clear response. Nearly 1,089 people voted against booze and only 347 were in favour of it. The residents also voted against allowing sporting events in the town fields and facilities on Sundays. Even the idea of allowing backyard hens in town was vetoed by a margin of 1,108 to 317. But the residents responded positively to the suggestion whether fluoride should be added to the town's drinking water. It got a balanced result: 732 in favour and 703 against it.

No Surprise

Cardston Mayor Maggie Kronen said on the same website that there is little surprise because people have had the chance to consider the outcome of the prohibition law. There is no middle ground. "I would say this puts it to rest and you would have to have a new generation before that happens again."

The taboo on the sale of alcohol has transcended the religious bar for many who came for voting. Ernest Watts, an Australian who moved to Cardston more than 50 years ago, said the town would lose its character if alcohol was allowed to be sold. "I love Cardston for what it stands for," he said.

The Pro Alcohol lobby got organised under the label "Cardston Citizens for Positive Progress" and argued for more tourists to come to Cardston. The arguments was that if there is no alcohol, they might drive on to the neighbouring communities that sell spirits, reports Globe and Mail. In the end, the Mormon beliefs clinched the final decision and Cardston salvaged its name and fame.