Recorded presentation

Esa L. Österberg, MA, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Alcohol and Drug Research Group, PO Box 220, 00531 Helsinki, Finland, 358 9 3967 2018, esa.osterberg@stakes.fi

Finland, Norway and Sweden joined the European Economic Area agreement in 1994, and in 1995 Finland and Sweden became full members of the European Union. Deepened economic integration has in many ways affected Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish alcohol policy.

In this paper population surveys mainly from Finland but also from Norway and Sweden are used to analyze changes in public opinion on the prevailing alcohol control systems in the three Nordic countries. In these surveys the general population have been asked to give their opinions on the prevailing alcohol control measures, on age limits on purchasing alcoholic beverages, on the suitability to sell beer, wine or distilled spirits in groceries or only in monopoly stores and on the level of alcohol excise duties.

In Finland public opinion with regard to alcohol control policy have become stricter during the Finnish membership in the EU. At present about 90 per cent of the population support the prevailing purchasing age limits, 18 years for beer and wine and 20 years for distilled spirits. The Finnish public also supports retaining strong alcoholic beverages in the monopoly stores and medium beer (at most 4.7 per cent alcohol by volume) in groceries. With regard to the proper selling places of wine and strong beer, public opinion is more split. However, during the time of the Finnish EU membership the willingness to start selling strong beer and wines in groceries has clearly decreased.

Learning Objectives:

• Finland, Norway and Sweden have, for instance, abandoned their former state monopolies on alcohol production, import, export and wholesale. Increased market competition have among other factors contributed to higher outlet density, longer selling hours, more customer oriented practice in alcohol outlets and restaurants and possibilities to advertise alcoholic beverages under 22 per cent alcohol by volume. Even if challenged, one part of the former comprehensive alcohol monopoly has remained intact, namely the off premise retail alcohol monopoly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation