Summary

The Action plan on Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Gambling

The Action plan on Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Gambling supports the implementation of the Act on organising alcohol, tobacco, drugs and gambling prevention (523/2015) that entered into force on 1 December 2015. The act and the action plan aim to promote equality in health and well-being, ensure the preconditions for preventive work in substance abuse and addictions across the country, and support in particular municipalities and regions in intensifying their work. Prevention of harms related to alcohol, smoking, drugs and gambling is part of the statutory obligation of municipalities to promote well-being and health.

Pursuant to the act, preventive work in substance abuse and addictions covers reducing adverse effects of alcohol, drugs and gambling as well as reducing smoking. The act advices to take into account also harms to others and society. According to the law, prevention of harms related to alcohol, smoking, drugs and gambling is based on cooperation, monitoring substance abuse and its harmful effects, scientific evidence available and good practices. Measures to control availability are highlighted alongside demand reduction and are to be implemented in cooperation with for example local businesses.

The action plan is a tool for people who work in prevention of harms related to alcohol, smoking, drugs and gambling in municipalities and regions, management of that work and actors that support it at national level. The intention is to enhance effectiveness through objectives and tasks for further development that have been set for six priority areas. The action plan forms part of the national programme “Well-being and health through collaboration 2025” (Yhteistyöllä hyvinvointia ja terveyttä 2025) and contributes among others to the prevention of non-communicable diseases and of inequities in
health.