Measures to reduce alcohol-related harm

Alcohol-related harm can be reduced by using evidence-based practices. According to THL, Finland should refrain from extending the sale of wines with an alcohol content of up to 15 per cent to grocery stores, and sufficient time should be allowed to assess the impacts of policy changes already implemented before introducing further reforms.

"Even at present, society’s capacity to buffer alcohol-related harms is insufficient in municipalities and wellbeing services counties. This is why health and social services and preventive substance use work need the support of a national alcohol policy that research has shown to be effective," says Pia Mäkelä, Research Professor at THL.

Measures to reduce alcohol-related harm

Maintaining Alko’s retail monopoly system.

Requiring alcoholic beverages to be placed in a separate area in retail stores.

Maintaining the current restrictions on hours of alcohol sales.

If online sales of alcoholic beverages are permitted, effective age verification must be ensured in both online sales and home delivery to protect minors.

Prohibiting targeted online alcohol marketing based on purchase history.

Providing research-based risk communication on alcohol use.

Increasing the early identification of risky use and access to support in different settings.

Strengthening local action to influence the availability of alcoholic beverages, i.e. the Pakka operating model.

Ensuring access and continuity of care for substance use and addiction treatment.

Publication

Alko’s monopoly system effectively reduces alcohol-related harms and promotes economically and socially sustainable development (in Finnish)

The Päätösten tueksi publication briefly reviews the reasons why allowing the sale of wines with an alcohol content of up to 15% in grocery stores would be detrimental to the health of the Finnish population.

Publication

How Finland drinks: changing patterns of alcohol consumption among Finns (in Finnish)

The How Finland Drinks book provides a research-based overview of the current state of Finnish drinking culture and the changes it is undergoing.