12.03.2025 - Fifty-four percent of the population finds the current alcohol policy appropriate, while 17 percent would prefer a stricter policy. Twenty percent of respondents would like a more liberal alcohol policy. These findings emerge from the Alcohol Policy Opinions survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The public's views on alcohol policy have become stricter since 2022 when only eight percent favored tighter alcohol restrictions and 29 percent preferred a more relaxed approach.
"According to our survey, most of the population wants to maintain the current alcohol retail monopoly system," says Thomas Karlsson, leading expert at THL.
More than half of the respondents (54%) believe restricting alcohol availability can influence the population’s alcohol consumption. The proportion holding this view has gradually increased over recent years, growing by a total of 11 percentage points since 2022.
"The monopoly system particularly reduces alcohol availability, price competition, and marketing. At the same time, it remains an effective and cost-efficient way to reduce alcohol-related harm," Karlsson continues.
The survey also asked respondents about their trust in effectively enforcing age limits and the prohibition on selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals if home delivery of alcoholic beverages were permitted. Forty-three percent of respondents had no confidence in this at all, 35 percent expressed little confidence, 12 percent somewhat trusted it, and only four percent fully trusted enforcement capability.
Support for selling wines in grocery stores has decreased by 12 percentage points since 2022 Forty-two percent of respondents agreed that wines with an alcohol content of 8–15 percent should be sold in grocery stores, down from 44 percent the previous year.
In 2023, 48 percent supported wine sales in grocery stores, compared to 54 percent in 2022.
"The shift in public opinion over three years is significant. Support for wine sales in grocery stores has dropped by 12 percentage points since 2022," Karlsson notes.
Only 21 percent believed wines should be available in grocery stores if it also meant the stores would sell stronger alcoholic beverages. This percentage was unchanged from the previous year.
There was a considerable gender difference on this issue: 29 percent of men supported wine sales in grocery stores even if it meant stronger spirits would also be available, compared to just 13 percent of women.
"Many people expect quick solutions to more critical societal issues – increasing alcohol availability is not among the top priorities. Alcoholic beverages are already widely available, and the majority is satisfied with the current situation," Karlsson concludes.
Population opinions on alcohol policy restrictions and the retail system for alcoholic beverages are surveyed annually in Finland. The results presented here are from the opinion poll conducted in January 2025.
Source: THL