A ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in convenience stores and other smaller retailers came into force in Indonesia today.

Convenience store attendants said alcoholic drinks were no longer available even before the ban took effect.

“We’ve pulled alcoholic drinks off the shelves since early April,” said Budi Wardhana, a manager at a 7-Eleven store in central Jakarta.

The ban, imposed by the Trade Ministry ostensibly to prevent underage drinking, covers drinks with alcohol content of less than 5 percent.

The ministry said there would be a separate regulation allowing small retailers to sell liquor in heavily-touristed areas such as the resort island of Bali.

Such drinks can still be purchased at supermarkets, restaurants, bars and hotels in the Muslim-majority country.     

Beverage companies have urged the government to reconsider the move, saying it would hurt business.

- dpa