European Integration and Nordic Alcohol Policies -- Changes in Alcohol Controls and Consequences in Finland, Norway and Sweden 1980-97.

Abstract

As recently as 10 years ago, Scandinavian countries demonstrated a well-recognized model of alcohol policy which used monopolies and national control strategies such as taxation to limit the consumption per capita of the population on the supposition that this would minimize the level of alcohol-related harm. All of that has changed during the past decade with the expansion of the European Union (EU) and the dramatic developments which this has brought in eliminating trade barriers and restrictive national policies. This book examines the process by which Nordic countries have responded to these changes. Denmark is not included because it has no history of monopoly as an alcohol control policy and Iceland is also excluded on account of its geographic isolation. The book thus concentrates on Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The last mentioned has of course elected not to enter the EU. The book details the way in which each country has evolved its pattern of state control and monopoly over much of alcohol production, wholesale import and export, as well as alcohol retail services. It is recognized that the purpose of the national alcohol control policy was to maintain a lower overall consumption of alcohol, and in …