Kathmandu  - Alcohol was taken off the shelves of most shops across Nepal Tuesday as the government implemented a regulation that prevents the unauthorised sale and distribution of liquor.

The new measure went into effect at midnight and requires a license for the sale of alcohol, including beer. Similar curbs on tobacco products were expected to go into effect later this month.

Nepal's Maoist-led government earlier this year announced it would regulate the sale of alcohol and tobacco as it tries to place controls on vices and plug up revenue leaks.

Before Tuesday, liquor had been freely sold in grocery stores and small neighbourhood kiosks across the country.

"We have removed all alcohol products from our shops since Monday night," said Rajesh Shrestha, the owner of a small supply store in the busy commercial district of New Road in Kathmandu, half of whose sales came from alcohol and cigarettes.

"I don't think the government move to regulate the sale of alcohol will work," Shrestha added.

Despite scepticism, the government regulation appeared to have been largely followed in a country known for its heavy use of alcohol and cigarettes.

Most shops in Kathmandu that did not qualify for liquor licenses had removed alcohol from their shelves by Tuesday morning.

"The regulation will be implemented strictly, and special teams will monitor cases of violations," said Tanka Mani Pokharel, the director general of the Internal Revenue Investigation Department.

"We hope the people will cooperate in our drive to generate revenue, which has in the past been lost due to unauthorized sales of liquor," Pokharel said of the new measure, which limits alcohol sales to department and general stores.

The government has said shops face stiff fines if they sell alcohol without a permit.

The move to regulate alcohol came just more than a month after the government ordered Nepal's nightclubs to close early, accusing them of being responsible for growing crime.

On Sunday, a report by the police blamed consumption of alcohol as the main cause behind criminal activities, accounting to nearly half of all reported crimes. (dpa)