New figures from CAN show that alcohol consumption in Sweden fell by 2.7% in 2025 and by 8% over three years, continuing a long-term downward trend.

NordAN's General Assembly in the Faroe Islands adopted two resolutions calling for better alcohol data across the Nordic and Baltic countries and stronger safeguards for young people.

Reflections from NordAN’s gathering in the Faroe Islands on prevention, public health protections and the everyday work supporting people and families. What do we take home, and how do we turn it into action?

Ahead of the NordAN 2026 conference in Tórshavn, we reflect on some of the wider questions behind this year’s discussions: how to protect effective policies, respond to changing political and commercial pressures, support young people, and remain open to learning from each other.

NordAN has submitted a contribution to the European Commission’s TRIS procedure supporting Lithuania’s proposal to restrict the sale of certain alcohol-branded non-alcoholic drinks to people under 18.

An initial WHO assessment suggests that alcohol availability restrictions introduced in Latvia in August 2025 were followed by a 27% reduction in deaths wholly attributable to alcohol, corresponding to more than 60 deaths prevented by the end of the year.

Greenland’s Health Minister Anna Wangenheim visited Icelandic prevention organisation FRÆ to learn from Iceland’s experience in alcohol and drug prevention. The visit comes as Greenland works to develop a long-term, evidence-based alcohol policy adapted to its own social and geographical realities.

Norway is considering expanding direct alcohol sales from producers. Actis warns that the move could weaken Vinmonopolet, trigger further liberalisation and raise questions under EEA law.

EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention has launched restructuring negotiations covering its entire staff. The organisation warns that anticipated cuts to government grants could bring major prevention and support services to an end from 2027.

Denmark has extended its use of young test purchasers to check whether shops comply with age limits for alcohol, tobacco and nicotine. The decision follows a pilot in which violations were found in 34% of inspections.

A new Norwegian survey finds that most people want the blood alcohol limit for recreational boat operators lowered to the same level as for drivers.

Icelandic prevention organisations have criticised the police response to online alcohol sales after a district court ruled that one retailer’s activities violated ÁTVR’s exclusive right to sell alcohol. Around twenty companies now reportedly offer alcohol for collection or home delivery in Iceland.

A new Blue Cross Denmark survey finds that 62.8 percent of Danes want a drinking culture in which alcohol plays a smaller role, up from 57.9 percent in 2025.

MHF is calling for a legal blood alcohol limit, a minimum age requirement and mandatory helmet use for all e-scooter riders in Sweden, citing rising injuries and the high proportion of alcohol-related deaths.

The Finnish Parliament has approved a law allowing home delivery of alcohol and foreign distance sales. EHYT warns that the decision will increase alcohol availability and marketing, weaken prevention, create major tax losses, and especially affect children, people with substance use problems, and their loved ones.

Finland’s Alcohol Act reform has moved forward in Parliament in a form that would expand alcohol availability through distance sales, home delivery and longer Alko opening hours. EHYT and Juha Mikkonen warn that the key public health and tax control questions remain unresolved.

EHYT welcomes the Finnish Parliament committee’s amendments to the Alcohol Act proposal, but stresses that the changes must be notified to the EU before the bill is brought to the plenary session.

The majority of the Finnish Parliament’s Social Affairs and Health Committee says proposed changes to the Alcohol Act must protect public health, tax revenue and the foundations of Finland’s alcohol system. The committee wants distance sales of alcohol to follow the same strength limits as domestic retail sales and argues that the changes must be notified to the European Commission before final adoption.

Movendi Sweden warns that recent and proposed changes to Swedish alcohol policy, including abolishing the food requirement, extending serving hours and lowering the Systembolaget age limit, will increase alcohol-related harm and deaths.

Recorded alcohol consumption in Finland continued to decline in 2025. According to THL, on-premise and retail consumption fell by 4.5% compared with 2024, but no estimate of total alcohol consumption can be made because of a change in the data collection method for travellers’ imports and online purchases.