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.

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.

A new EHYT survey shows that Finnish minors find it increasingly easy to obtain alcohol, often through friends, siblings, parents or social media. The findings also underline the strong role parents’ attitudes and example continue to play in young people’s alcohol-related choices.

THL’s new report finds that substance use and addiction service contacts in Finland are increasingly moving toward primary health care and other basic services. The shift offers opportunities for earlier support, but requires stronger structures, better cooperation and improved professional competence.

EHYT has adopted a new strategy for 2026 to 2029 and calls for stable funding for preventive substance use work through earmarked revenues from alcohol, tobacco, nicotine products and gambling.

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.

EHYT calls for the suspension of the current alcohol law proposal, arguing that its preparation has been incomplete, that EU discussions were insufficient, and that the proposed changes could weaken public health and undermine Finland’s retail monopoly system.

State funding for the EPT network, which coordinates NGO cooperation in preventive substance use work, will end in 2026, despite growing substance-related harms and broad opposition from civil society organisations.

A Verian survey commissioned by EHYT ry shows that Tipaton January often carries on beyond January. 81 percent of participants said they drank less alcohol in February as well, and only 15 percent had returned to their previous level of drinking.

Cocaine use has increased sharply in Finland, following a wider European trend of higher availability and record seizures. EHYT warns that falling prices may expose more vulnerable groups, and stresses the need for low-threshold, anonymous support, including during holiday periods.

A new Sports Mehiläinen study shows that substance use is common among Finnish athletes, and clubs struggle to identify or address it. One in four athletes use substances to relax, and coaches and athletes hold sharply different views on how widespread the problem is.

A new survey from the Cancer Society of Finland shows that while Finns want to live healthily, everyday life makes healthy choices difficult. Many expect society to create environments that support better choices, including access to healthy food, opportunities for physical activity, and limits on the availability of tobacco and alcohol. The growing cancer burden makes these investments increasingly important.

A new pilot project in Finland aims to support the well-being of pregnant women and ensure a safe, substance-free environment for fetal development. The project evaluates the use of a new, highly sensitive PEth blood test as a potential routine screening method for alcohol use in early pregnancy.

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 University of Helsinki doctoral study shows that Finns exposed to more liberal alcohol policies in their youth have higher rates of alcohol-related illness and mortality later in life. The findings underline how policy decisions can shape public health outcomes decades into the future.

Homelessness, substance use, and gambling problems among young Finns are increasing. The Blue Ribbon Association and Foundation appealed to Minister Mika Poutala, stressing that state budget decisions and policies on alcohol, gambling, and housing must better safeguard youth wellbeing. They warn that no welfare state should attempt to balance its finances by worsening young people’s struggles with addiction and homelessness.

Finland’s draft reform to the Alcohol Act would allow home delivery, cross-border distance sales, and digital advertising of spirits. In its submission, NordAN warns the changes risk dismantling the public health-focused Nordic model. Alongside the submission, NordAN also sent the “Elders’ Letter” to Finnish ministers and party leaders, urging transparency and a clear commitment to evidence-based alcohol policy.

Alcohol, drugs, and suicides are the leading causes of premature years of life lost in Finland, resulting in an annual financial loss of €8.35 billion. Alcohol alone is the top cause nationwide and in many regions, while other regions see suicide, drugs, or ischemic heart diseases as the main causes. The latest data highlight significant regional disparities and stress the importance of targeted preventive efforts.

The Finnish Mental Health Policy Advisory Board urges the government to assess the mental health impacts of proposed changes to alcohol and gambling laws. With regulation being eased and harm risks increasing, the board stresses the need for prevention, support services, and earmarked funding to address rising challenges, especially among youth.

The Finnish *Pidä kiinni®* treatment model helps parents with substance use disorders and their babies build safer, healthier lives together. A nationwide study shows it improves parent-child interaction and family well-being. Despite proven effectiveness and major societal savings, the program lost state funding in 2025, putting its future at risk.