25.03.2025 - A recent survey conducted by A-Clinic Foundation, the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention EHYT, and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters shows that Finns perceive alcohol home delivery as a threat to the wellbeing of families and children. For the vast majority of Finns (77%), the home is the most common environment for alcohol use. The sale of stronger alcohol in grocery stores, kiosks, and service stations, combined with the potential legalization of home delivery, increases children’s and young people’s exposure to alcohol-related harms and marketing.
According to an online survey conducted by market research company Bilendi in February, 63% of Finns believe that home delivery of alcohol would increase harms to children and families. Additionally, 62% think it would worsen public health problems. The results suggest that Finns are critical of the government’s proposed alcohol law reform, which would significantly increase alcohol availability.
There is also little trust in the ability to enforce age limits and prevent sales to intoxicated individuals if alcohol home delivery were allowed. A recent survey by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Alcohol policy opinions 2025, found that only 4% of Finns fully trust that age restrictions and sales bans to intoxicated persons could be effectively enforced in such a system. In contrast, 43% of respondents did not trust this at all, and 35% trusted it only somewhat.
The A-Clinic Foundation, EHYT, and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters are submitting an appeal to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, MP Tarja Filatov (Social Democratic Party), calling for children’s rights and public health to be prioritized. Nearly 14,000 Finns have already signed the appeal.
“Decision-makers have a responsibility to make choices that promote public health and reduce substance-related harm. The interests of businesses that sell and produce alcohol should not take precedence over the wellbeing of the population. The wellbeing of invisible children is a shared responsibility,” says Juha Mikkonen, Executive Director of EHYT.
Most Finns oppose increased alcohol availability
Finns are increasingly critical of liberalizing alcohol policy. This is also reflected in three other surveys conducted within the past year. Only 20% of respondents in THL’s Alcohol policy opinions survey support a more liberal alcohol policy. According to the same survey, 54% find the current policy appropriate, while 17% support stricter regulation. Only 21% of respondents agreed that wine should be sold in grocery stores if that also meant stronger alcoholic beverages would be available there.
Similar sentiments were echoed in the A-Clinic Foundation’s Addiction survey 2025, where 62% of respondents said they do not support the option to have alcohol delivered to their homes. Moreover, 69% believed that alcohol home delivery would increase feelings of insecurity among children and worsen alcohol problems among adults.
In another survey conducted last autumn by the A-Clinic Foundation, EHYT, and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, more than 75% of respondents expressed distrust towards home delivery if it were allowed through food delivery services.
“The opinion of citizens should serve as a serious wake-up call to the government. The survey clearly shows that Finns do not want changes to current alcohol sales and licensing regulations. In other words, we are in a situation where the government and the retail sector are actively increasing alcohol availability, even though the public does not support such a move,” says Hannu Jouhki, CEO of the A-Clinic Foundation.
Child welfare notifications on the rise – decision-makers must be held accountable
In 2023, more than 110,000 child welfare notifications were made in Finland, an 11% increase from the previous year. The growing prevalence of alcohol use at home is directly reflected in child welfare statistics. This means that one in ten children needs help from child protection services.
“The ability of child protection services to assist all the children who come under their care is inadequate. The situation of children must not be made more difficult by increasing alcohol availability,” says Oona Ylönen, Secretary General of the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters.
The 'Invisible children' campaign defends children’s rights
The Invisible children campaign highlights how alcohol policy affects children and families. The campaign demands that the government prioritize children's rights and public health over the promotion of alcohol sales. More information about the campaign can be found at www.nakymattomat.fi.
More about the survey
The survey commissioned by the A-Clinic Foundation, EHYT, and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters was conducted by Bilendi in February 2025 as part of its Omnibus survey. A total of 1,000 Finnish respondents aged 18 and older took part. The sample was weighted to be representative of the population by age, gender, and region.
Source: Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto