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.

A new Danish survey finds that concerns about other people’s drinking are common, but many still hesitate to speak up despite most saying they would welcome such concern themselves.

A new EHYT report based on responses from 1,890 young people in Finland shows a complex picture of youth culture in 2026. Substance-free lifestyles are widely seen as attractive, while alcohol remains socially normalised and flavoured nicotine pouches have become increasingly prominent.

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 Swedish survey shows how strongly alcohol can become linked with summer, relaxation and social situations. Frequent drinkers were particularly likely to say that summer occasions feel emptier without alcohol, while many also saw the return to everyday routines as an opportunity for a reset.

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 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.

Greenland’s parliament has debated whether the country should develop a national alcohol policy guided by children’s rights, with the government now signalling support for a broad political alcohol agreement.

The Icelandic Government has told ESA that online alcohol sales based on domestic warehousing and delivery constitute domestic retail sale, not private importation. Prevention organisations in Iceland welcome the clarification as a reaffirmation of the public health basis of the alcohol monopoly.

Akan director argues that problematic alcohol use in politics should not only be treated as a matter of individual behaviour. The Storting is also a workplace, and early, caring leadership is essential when concerns arise.

A new amendment proposal in the Estonian Parliament would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work in jobs involving the preparation, offering and sale of alcoholic beverages. Public health organisations warn that the proposal would weaken the protection of minors and send a contradictory message about alcohol prevention.

A new debate article from the Drug Policy Centre argues that the idea of an inevitable global shift towards drug legalization does not match reality. Instead, it points to a growing number of countries pursuing a different path, keeping drugs illegal while responding to addiction with treatment, care and more targeted support.

A new report from the Alcohol and Society research series finds that more than half of all alcohol consumption takes place in contexts that lead to intoxication. The authors warn that this pattern is not marginal but normalised, and that it drives both acute harms and long-term health risks.

Everyone can play a role for children and young people growing up with an adult who drinks too much. The awareness week “Play a role” takes place on 9 to 15 February 2026 and includes digital seminars and local activities.

Icelandic prevention organisations say the current debate on alcohol policy should be grounded in facts, including a long-running police case on online alcohol sales that is now before the courts.

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 study led by Aarhus University Hospital shows that people who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day suffer much larger and more serious brain hemorrhages, and at an average age 11 years younger than other patients. The results, published in Neurology, have already received major international attention.

At its General Assembly in Riga, Latvia, on 13 November 2025, NordAN adopted two resolutions on drug policy and alcohol-related health taxes. They call for a prevention-first EU drug strategy and for using alcohol tax revenues to protect prevention and civil society.