Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?

9.00 Tilaisuuden avaus
Puheenjohtaja Juha Mikkonen avaa tilaisuuden ja esittelee alkoholiasenteisiin liittyviä
tuloksia EHYTin kansalais- ja ehdokaskyselyistä.
9.15 Katsaus eri pohjoismaiden alkoholipolitiikkaan
Panelistien alustukset
10:00 Paneelikeskustelu
Lauri Beekman, Executive Director, Nordic Alcohol and Drugs Policy Network (NordAN)
Emil Juslin, European Policy Officer, IOGT, Ruotsi
Mariann Skar, former Secretary General, Eurocare, Norja
Pia Mäkelä, Research Professor, THL, Suomi
10.40 Kommenttipuheenvuoro
Sami Kuusela, toimittaja
10.55. Puheenjohtajan loppusanat
Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan
- mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?

What do citizens
want from alcohol
policy?
EHYT Finnish Association for
Substance Abuse Prevention

How the research was done
EHYT ry investigated citizens'
perceptions of the important issues
of alcohol policy in a survey in the fall
of 2022.
The key results of the survey have
been compiled in this presentation.
More detailed survey results can be
found at ehyt.fi.
Kantar Public produced the survey
and 1138 people answered for it.

Who should be heard/
consulted in alcohol
policy?
• Citizens believe that the interests of
the alcohol industry, the trade
sector and the restaurant industry
are well heard in the decision-
making of alcohol policy.
• According to the Finns, research,
expert knowledge, non-
governmental organizations and
concern for health should be heard
more in decision-making.
Research and expert consultations
Health perspective
Views of non-governmental
organizations
68 %
56 %
69 %

Really significant, answer the Finns.
The problems affecting children stand
out as the most significant:
family and intimate partner violence and
problems caused by alcohol in families
with children.
How significant are the
problems caused by
alcohol?

55%
53%
45%
39%
31%
11%
13%
36%
35%
43%
42%
36%
26%
18%
Lasten ja nuorten suojeleminen
alkoholihaitoilta
Alkoholihaittojen ja ongelmien vähentäminen
niiden ihmisten keskuudessa, jotka juovat
paljon
Palveluiden ja hoidon tarjoaminen
alkoholiongelmissa
Alkoholihaittojen ja ongelmien vähentäminen
koko väestössä
Alkoholin kulutuksen vähentäminen koko
väestössä
Alkoholinkäytön siirtyminen kodeista
anniskelutiloihin, kuten ravintoloihin
Alkoholin myynnin laajentaminen ja
lisääminen nykyisestä
Erittäin tärkeä Jokseenkin tärkeä
According to citizens, the most important
issues in alcohol policy:
• protecting children and young people
from the harms of alcohol
• reducing harms and problems among
heavy drinkers
• providing services and treatment for
alcohol problems
• reducing the consumption of alcohol in
the entire population is perceived as
significantly more important than
expanding the sale of alcohol.
What issues are important in alcohol policy?
Protecting children and young people
from the harms of alcohol
Reducing harms and problems among
heavy drinkers
Providing services and treatment for alcohol problems
Reducing the consumption of alcohol in the entire population
Reducing harms and problems among whole
population
Great importance Somewhat important

Is it too difficult to buy
alcohol in Finland?
• A small minority of Finns think
that it is too difficult to buy
alcohol.
• The majority, on the other
hand, feel that the current
opening times and a number
of outlets are sufficient for
them.
It is too difficult to
buy alcohol these days
The current opening hours
and outlets to buy alcohol
are sufficient
19 %
78 %

And what do young
people think about
alcohol?
Today's decisions affect the most for
young people, and that's why it's time
to give them a voice in the alcohol
debate.
That's why we focused on our survey
especially for young adults aged 18–25.

What do young people think
about the liberalization of
alcohol sales?
Do young people believe that alcohol
consumption would increase if alcohol could
be sold more freely than at present? Yes: 56 %
Do young people believe that the harms of
alcohol would increase if alcohol could be sold
more freely than at present? Yes: 58 %
If alcohol would be more easily available,
the problems caused by it, would increase: Agree: 68 %

Do young people think that
buying alcohol is too difficult
these days?
No: 67 %
The current opening hours
and outlets where alcohol is
sold are sufficient for me
Agree: 70 %

Young people take
care of their loved
ones
In my family, I think too
much alcohol is used 32 %
In my circle of friends, I think
too much alcohol is used 34 %
I have been worried of
about someone close to
me drinking alcohol 62%
I have been worried
about my own alcohol
consumption 28 %
Someone close to me
has told me that he is
worried about my alcohol
consumption
I have talked to a friend
or family member about
their alcohol use when
I have been concerned
about it
46 %
25 %

In contrast: The Finnish Grocery Trade Association’s government programme goals for 2023–2027
• Deregulating the sale of mild alcoholic beverages
With the comprehensive reform of alcohol legislation in 2018, we moved from one of the most stringent
environments in Europe in terms of alcohol regulation towards the more liberal European model. In our
opinion, Finland should allow the sale of all alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 15%,
i.e. wine, beer and cider, in grocery stores.
“We propose that all retail stores that currently hold a license to sell alcohol be allowed to sell wines with an
alcohol content of less than 15%. This would also apply to small breweries, online food retailers, and
restaurants.”  This would mean opening 75 % of Alko’s market share for competition (in pure alcohol)
“Even if wine were to be allowed in grocery stores, Alko could still continue to have a monopoly on strong
alcoholic beverages. However, if Alko were unable to continue its operations or if the state did not want to
continue its operations, the sale of strong alcoholic beverages could be handled through a separate licensing
system.”  Not possible to have a nation-wide monopoly only for spirits; a licensing system is unrealistic in
Finland as the grocery trade has concentrated only for three chains. This would lead to the dismantling the
alcohol monopoly (economic, political, and EU perspectives).
An economic interest: Alko’s share of 1,3 billion euros per year would be taken by the grocery trade sector.
“Already 65% of Finns believe that the sale of wine in grocery stores should be allowed. The reform would
make everyday life easier for consumers and offer a wider selection, at a slightly cheaper price than Alko.”
 78 % of the citizens say that the current opening hours and outlets are sufficient for them.
To attain a policy change, one needs to have a problem + solution + political will:
 The question is: What is the problem here?

Finally – the results
summarized in three points:
1. Harms caused by alcohol are a significant problem in Finland.
2. Reducing the alcohol-related harm is more important than the
liberalization of alcohol sales.
3. The current outlet density and opening hours are sufficient for the
vast majority.

Alcohol policy
in Nordic and
Baltic region
Lauri Beekmann | NordAN | May
2023

Alcohol availability
Number of registered retail shops selling strong alcohol per 100 000 inhabitants in Nordic countries and
Baltic states 2021.
Sources: Alko; Systembolaget; Vinmonopolet; Vinbudin; State Revenue Service of Latvia; Drug,Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department of
Lituania; Register of Economic Activities, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications; Statistics Estonia

Total number of registered retail shops selling alcohol per 100 000 inhabitants in Nordic
countries and Baltic states

Maximum selling hours per week

The number of
total cashier
points

Number of on-
premise sales
outlets that sell
alcohol in
Nordic
countries,
Estonia and
Lithuania

Direction
• Nordic countries maintain a long-standing
tradition of strict alcohol policies
• Primary focus in Nordic countries is on
preserving existing alcohol regulations
• Baltic countries have a history of more
liberal alcohol policies and regulations
• The main objective in Baltic countries is
transitioning toward stricter regulations
• Implementing reforms is generally easier
than maintaining them over time

Directions
Nordic countries
• Finland –
• Alcohol Act 2018
• Future of Alko
• Sweden
• Farm sales
• Iceland
• constant pressure to abolish
monopoly and allow alcohol
advertising
Baltic countries
• Lithuania
• Since 2018, total ban on
advertising
• Minimum age – 20
• Ban on sales in petrol stations
• Estonia
• Local version of Loi Evin
• Alcohol behind walls in grocery
stores

Taxation
• Finland, like other Nordic
countries, has been labeled as one
of the worst Nanny States. High
taxes are one of the reasons for this
reputation.
• In most cases, tax comparisons do
not take into account a country's
living standards, purchasing power,
and other aspects that would make
the comparison truly viable.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
Estonia Finland Latvia Lithuania Sweden
PPP USD 0.57 0.80 0.51 0.48 8.67
Spirits 3304 6274 3385 4517 6021
Intermediate
products
2823 5338 2018 3307 3675
Wine 2361 4769 1982 3436 2884
Beer 2231 4742 1610 1633 2446
Estonia Finland Latvia Lithuania Sweden
Spirits 1881.00 5035.00 1724.00 2163.00 4798,1019
Intermediate
products
289.33 771.00 185.00 285.00 527.21
Wine 147.82 421.00 111.00 181.00 252.80
Beer 12.70 38.05 8.20 7.82 19.50

Thank you!
Lauri Beekmann
Beekmann@nordan.org
www.nordan.org
@lbeekmann

Systembolaget, its public health
benefits, support among the public
and its threats
11th of May 2023
Emil Juslin
European Policy Officer
IOGT-NTO

Why do we have a monopoly?
• Alcohol related harm is still a leading cause for harm in society
• Over 300 000 children today in Sweden feel ,or has felt, unsafe due to alcohol
consumption by adults.
• Alcohol related harm in Sweden is also estimated to cost society 10 billion euros every
year.
• The monopoly is also a proven public health measure to reduce the
availability of alcohol and therefore protect public health.

What is the status of the Monopoly?
• Systembolaget today has a monopoly of all alcoholic beverages in Sweden
with an alcohol content over 2,25 % and 75 % of all alcohol consumed in
Sweden is bought at Systembolaget.
• Systembolaget further has an overwhelming support among the public.
Around 75 % support the monopoly and its public health goals.

Graph gathered from Systembolaget

What is the status of the Monopoly?
• Systembolaget today has a monopoly of all alcoholic beverages in Sweden
with an alcohol content over 2,25 % and 75 % of all alcohol consumed in
Sweden is bought at Systembolaget.
• Systembolaget further has an overwhelming support among the public.
Around 75 % support the monopoly and its public health goals.
• However, there are still a strong industry interest in removing the
monopoly, as well as some politicians pushing for a privatisation.

The efficiency of Systembolaget

What happens if the monopoly is
removed?
40 % - Expected increase in
consumption
1200 - Expected increase in annual
alcohol-related deaths.
From the study:

The trial of Beer in supermarkets
• In 1967 Sweden made a trial of selling beer in supermarkets.
• The period led to large increase in alcohol consumption, especially among
youth
• The negative health effects were so extensive that the trial was cut short.

Cross-border sales in early 2000s
• Cross border sales increased drastically in the early 2000s due
to Sweden accepting the EU rules for cross-border alcohol trade
• The effect can clearly be seen in the total consumption

Challenges to the Swedish
monopoly
• Cross-border trade of alcohol
• Distance sales of alcohol
• Farm sales proposal in Sweden

Cross border trade
• Around 20 % of all alcohol consumed in Sweden is unregistered.
• Cross-border trade causes several challenges, it:
• Increases both price and availability of alcohol
• Reduces tax revenue
• Undermines the monopoly
• Here, EU action is necessary to reduce cross-border trade, and still
allowing member states to have a high tax rate.

Distance sales of alcohol
• Is defined as alcohol that is sold aboard and delivered to Sweden.
• Many actors that market and sell alcohol towards Sweden, circumventing
the monopoly
• Currently several court cases ongoing that will likely define the legality of
this practice.

Farm sales of alcohol
• A proposal to let alcohol producers sell their own products at their production
facility
• The proposal therefore allows for another actor other than the monopoly to
sell alcoholic beverages
• This would, however, undermine the monopoly, especially on it legal foundation
in the EU law.
• The risk is therefore that the introduction of farm sales could mean the end of the
monopoly.
• The proposal has been criticized by many important stakeholders such as the
Swedish cancer society, The Swedish Health Authority, Several courts as well as
scholars in EU law.

Farm sales in Sweden
• The issue of farm sales has existed in Sweden since the early 2000s and has
already been inquiried twice, in 2007 and in 2010.
• Both of these inquiries concluded that it is not possible to combine farm sales
with the state monopoly.
• The main discussion has centered around EU legality of the proposal

Questions?
Emil Juslin
emil.juslin@iogt.se

Alcohol Policy in Norway
Päihdepäivät
EHYT Finnish Association
for Substance Abuse
Prevention
Mariann Skar
Mariann.Skar@gmail.com

The alcohol
monopoly in
Norway – its status
and how do the
citizens perceive it.
• Consumer relations, 88% positive
• Founded in 1922 as a government-owned
company
• Restructured in 1999 to self-service
• Internet sales began in 2002.
• Special shops were launched from around
2005
• Wine auctions started in December 2008
• Farm sales from 2016 of products below
22%
• Licence to sell alcohol in shops below 4,7%

The level of alcohol
consumption in
Norway and how it
has developed in
the last years.

What kind of
effects the
consumption has
had on alcohol
related harms?
• 85% of Norwegians drink alcohol regularly
• Binge drinking (age differences)
• Socio economic differences in drinking
patterns
• Men drink more and more risky
• Around 250.000 people are dependent
• Around 20.000 are treated yearly
• Between 350 to 450 deaths per year
• In addition suicide, violence, traffic accidents
(25% of deaths include drugs)
• 50.000 to 150.000 children live in families with
one parent drinking risky

Alcohol related deaths in Norway

Actions that has
influenced alcohol
related harms
and/or
consumption
trends in Norway.
Restrictive alcohol policy across different
political parties based on public health
and solidarity
• Price
• Availability, (Monopoly and licencing
system for sale and serving)
• Strict opening hours for sale of alcohol
• Age limits, 18 wine and 20 spirit
• 50 years of alcohol marketing ban,
including social media
• 0,2 BAC level for driving vehicles

Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos
What’s up with Finnish alcohol policy?
Pia Mäkelä
12.6.2023

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
Until 2005-2007: a
strong increase
After 2007:
a historic decrease
Development of per
capita alcohol
consumption in the 2000s
(1/3)

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
• 2004: Estonia joined
EU & travelers’ import
quotas were abolished
-> Finland cut alcohol
taxes by one-third
Development of per
capita alcohol
(2/3)

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
• 2008–2021:
8 smaller increases in
alcohol taxes
Development of per
capita alcohol
(3/3)

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
Mortality from directly
alcohol-attributable
causes, 2000–2021

The new Alcohol Act, 2018
• Debated in 2011–2017
• Biggest changes in terms of potential impacts on
consumption:
• Max. Alcohol content in grocery store sales: 4.7% -> 5.5%
• Previously only beverages made by fermentation allowed in
grocery stores -> alco-pops allowed (<5.5%)
12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
• 2018: not much
change in per capita
consumption
Development of per
capita alcohol

12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä
Recorded consumption
by beverage type

Recorded monthly consumption
(seasonal variation removed, +simple linear trends added)
12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä

Next up…
• The new government is just now being negotiated.
• Most likely main parties: The National Coalition Party &
True Finns (+ svenska folkpartiet + Christian democrats)
• The National Coalition Party assembly decided in 2018 to
aim to abolish the Alko monopoly. In 2020 they decided to
aim to do this step-by-step within one four-year term.
• True Finns are the second party most in favour of
liberalizing alcohol policy (but no declared policy line).
12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä

The monopoly is under a severe threat
• What has been debated before elections: ”wine into grocery stores”
• This would (almost certainly) mean a ~15% limit
• i.e. also pre-mixed drinks of 15%
• -> very little would remain in Alko only
• -> it would be practically impossible to have Alko as we know it (wide
selection, with service, across the country)
• Financial, political and legal reasons -> a _monopoly_ would no longer be
possible.
• Why would the state own a company aiming to make a living by competing on the market
by selling booze? (Removing competition and the incentive to maximize sales was a
central aim of the monopoly!)
• This would be a great loss for public health and welfare
12.6.2023
Pia Mäkelä

How does it look?
Journalist’s view on communicating about alcohol policy
+ notes from presentations

Who am I
● Journalist
● Kirkastaja aka Brightener
● Social democrat
● Entrepreneur

Project with EHYT
How to get politicians oppose the sale of wines in grocery stores?
Main opponent: PTY, the Finnish Grocery Trade Association
PTY EHYT
Message Let’s liberate! Liberating is bad
Budget Huge Limited
Tone of voice
Clear and simple,
inspirational, celebrates
freedom
Complicated and data
driven, resticts freedom,
emphasizes harm

Theme 1
But most Finns want it!

No, it’s not a referendum
PTY
65 % of the Finns want wines into
grocery stores.
EHYT
78 % of the Finns are happy with the
current availability of alcohol.
Who can I believe when everybody has their own numbers?
It’s not a gallup. It’s a matter of public health.

Yes, we are European. So what?
PTY
We are European. In “Europe” people enjoy a glass of wine with good food.
Most Finns believe they are moderate drinkers and it would be nice to buy riesling
from a local grocery.
We are European. At least Eastern european. Culture does not change by
increasing alcohol availability.

Wines, business and freedom
PTY
By getting wines into groceries, we get
more tax income and businesses thrive.
And monopolies are wrong.
EHYT
Liberation of wines would lead into
increased health costs. That would be
bad for the national economy.
It’s not fashionable to be anti-business. Freedom is nice.
But not all politics can be judged by the level of freedom. Alcohol is not an ordinary
consumer good, it leads to misery and deaths.

It’s not about you
Heavy drinkers and their close ones suffer most about alcohol. Most Finns
don’t have an alcohol problem.
Most successful people, like politicians, have a fortunate background,
especially on the right-wing parties. They need to be reminded about the
unfortunate Finns.
It’s ok, mister. You have the energy to drive to Alko to get your wine!

It’s time to be brave
Most alcohol researchers are against liberation of alcohol politics and letting
grocery stores sell wine.
A policy maker can save lives by making decisions that many of his/her
voters don’t like.
Thank you for being responsible. Thank you for your empathy.

Do you want to rise the consumption?
In the end the decision in simple:
If you want alcohol consumption to rise in Finland, you’ll vote to get wines in
to groceries.

Learnings from the presentations

Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?

Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?

Similar to Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle? (20)

More from EHYT

More from EHYT (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Päihdepäivät 2023: 12. Suomalainen, ruotsalainen ja norjalainen menivät viinakauppaan - mitä kuuluu pohjoismaiselle alkoholipolitiikalle?