According to a survey, Finns are satisfied with the current alcohol policy

It is based on a nationwide survey that received responses from more than 2,000 Finns. Interviews with MPs from both government and opposition parties were also used as material. Alko helped fund the study. 

According to E2 Research CEO Karina Jutila, the key message of the report is that Finns are satisfied with the current alcohol policy baseline.  

‘The majority of citizens do not see a need to change the current alcohol sales system,’ says Jutila. ‘Buying alcohol at the moment is considered effortless, and decisions that increase consumption are not wanted.’ 

The responses to the survey convey concern about the harm alcohol causes to society: more than 70 per cent of Finns are worried that alcohol-related health problems burden the national economy. However, more than 80 per cent think that protecting children and adolescents from alcohol-related harm is much more important than allowing adults to effortlessly purchase alcohol. This view is especially common among women. Jutila indeed mentions the differentiation of values between women and men as a noteworthy finding, which is evident in the survey results.  

‘Women place more emphasis on public health issues – families, children and the burden of alcohol on society. Meanwhile, men’s answers emphasise business interests and individual responsibility for drinking behaviour,’ Jutila says. 

According to Jutila, another significant observation regarding the overall picture is the respondents’ inconsistent attitude towards public finances and the factors that burden them. 

‘While we want to reduce the additional burden on public finances by all means, some Finns are willing to increase the availability of alcohol, which increases the costs caused by alcohol-related harm to us taxpayers. There’s a huge contradiction here.’ 

Citizens are more united in their views than politicians. The majority of Finns (74%) think that decision-makers should not make decisions that increase alcohol consumption, but many of the decision-makers are in favour of expanding sales. This view is held by politicians with a liberal economic perspective in particular. 

‘Although there will be no pressure for change from citizens, it is realistic to say that the topic will not disappear from political debate,’ summarises Jutila. 

‘As a researcher, I hope for a multi-voiced discussion on the topic that honestly highlights the pros and cons.’ 

In photo: Karina Jutila, CEO of E2 Research.