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.

NordAN has submitted comments to the European Commission on Finland’s latest alcohol law reform. The network argues that the proposal is not just a small technical change, but another step in a wider pattern that gradually weakens Alko’s role while Finland still relies on the monopoly’s public health justification.

The Finnish government’s proposal to expand alcohol home delivery and distance selling threatens to increase alcohol consumption and harms while directing profits abroad. EHYT warns that the move undermines proven public health policies and places children and youth at greater risk.

A Finnish government report evaluates expanding wine sales beyond Alko’s monopoly, outlining benefits such as consumer choice and risks including increased alcohol harms. Alko emphasizes maintaining the Nordic retail model, citing significant public health impacts and broad public support for its current system.

Alko and WHO collaborate to raise awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer, aiming to reduce alcohol-related health risks.