I can't speak for Svalbard specifically, but Norway in general has a long history of heavily taxing and regulating alcohol. Alcohol stronger than beer can only

I can't speak for Svalbard specifically, but Norway in general has a long history of heavily taxing and regulating alcohol. Alcohol stronger than beer can only be purchased at the state-run "wine monopoly", alcohol percentage stronger than 60% classified as narcotics and illegal, opening hours for alcohol sale (beer included) are mandated to be much shorter than for stores in general, no alcohol sales allowed on public holidays, Sundays or Saturdays after 3pm/6pm (wine+ and beer, respectively), etc. Culturally, you can trace this back to the Protestant Christian heritage, where excessive alcohol consumption was considered both sinful and destructive. I'm certain there was something to the heavily negative view on the health- and socioeconomic effects of alcohol at the time (combined with poverty, hunger, cold, dark winters, isolation and the need for cooperating to thrive in such a climate), so I don't think it just boils down to unsubstantiated religious feelings. There is still consensus that this is a good way of doing things, although the minority Christian conservative political wing are loudest about it.