Public opinions, alcohol consumption and policy changes in Finland, 1993–2013

Abstract

Aims This article studies trends and patterns of public opinion on alcohol policy in relation to changes in alcohol policy and total alcohol consumption in Finland during the last twenty years. Design We first study changes in alcohol policy and total alcohol consumption, and then review and analyse data from public opinions surveys. General trends in the alcohol-policy opinion climate are studied, as well as specific questions such as opinions regarding age limits, pricing of alcoholic beverages and sales place of different alcoholic beverages. Findings The Finnish alcohol policy arena has undergone large changes during the last two decades which can also be noted as a growth in the total consumption of alcoholic beverages and related harms. In congruence with higher consumption levels of alcohol, also the share of the population in favour of more restrictive alcohol policies has risen.

Changes in alcohol policies and public opinions in Finland 2003–2013

“…During the 1980s, alcohol policy opinions began once more to lean towards a more liberal direction. In the mid‐1990s, this liberal move was halted [7].…”

“…In the very beginning of the 2000s, the alcohol policy opinion climate was divided as 20% of the population wanted stricter alcohol policies, and an equal share wished for more liberal policies [7]. When asked about appropriate sales places for different beverage categories, almost 90% wanted to keep the status quo and have medium‐strength beer sales in grocery stores, and for Alko to be the only retailer of distilled spirits.…”

“…From 1995 on, the interviewees have been asked annually to take a stand on the sales system of distilled spirits, and the legal age limits related to alcohol sale. Questions about the suitable level of prices of alcoholic beverages were introduced in 1998 [6,7]. Since 2007, interviewees have also been asked whether or not the Finnish State Alcohol Monopoly (Alko) and its sole right to the off‐premise retail sale of alcoholic beverages stronger than 4.7% ethyl alcohol by volume is a good way of controlling the extent of harmful effects of alcohol [8].…”

“…In earlier decades opinion data were collected and analysed by Alko, and today the Alcohol and Drugs Unit at the National Institute for Health and Welfare continues the gathering and analysing of survey data on alcohol policy opinions on a yearly basis [7]. In addition to this, the Finnish Social and Health Association has collected data on public alcohol opinions every second year since 2006.…”

Frightening or Foolish? Gendered Perceptions of Public Intoxication Among Youths and Adults in Norway and Finland

“…Both in Norway and in Finland, social norms related to alcohol use have traditionally been restrictive (Lindeman, Karlsson & € Osterberg, 2013;Rossow & Storvoll, 2014), and alcohol policies among the strictest in the world (Brand, Saisana, Rynn, Pennoni, & Lowenfels, 2007). Compared to southern European countries, alcohol has been much less integrated into daily life, and rather been used as an intoxicant during weekends and on special occasions (Bye & Rossow, 2010;M€ akel€ a et al, 2012).…”