1. 12.-13.3.2018 ASA EG, Moscow Development Manager Jaana Markkula
Report on recent developments in the field of alcohol and substance abuse policy development - FINLAND
ASA EG, Moscow
Development Manager Jaana Markkula
ASA EG, Markkula

2. Alcohol policy
The new Alcohol act (1102/2017) into force in the beginning of > in overall, regulation was reduced, e.g. (more in English):
Retail stores can sell all kinds of alcoholic beverages that contain up to 5.5% alcohol by volume (until 2017: 4,7%) and the requirement for production by fermentation was removed
Alcohol monopoly’s opening hours were extended by 1 hour in weekdays (from 8pm to 9pm)
Restaurants and bars are able to apply for a licence for retail sale of alcohol, same applies for independent breweries and microbreweries selling craft beer
Restaurants and bars are able to advertise Happy Hour discounts
Opening hours are deregulated for restaurants and bars (but not the serving hours) and they are able to continue serving alcohol until 4am
More emphasis given to house policies, and municipalities were given a right to limit serving hours of restaurants and bars if serving causes harms in the neighborhood
Taxation of alcoholic beverages was increased by 100 million euros in the beginning of 2018 (in average 10%): sixth increase since 2008.
The change planned in retail sale of alcohol increases the availability of stronger (4,7-5,5%) alcoholic beverages:
Before 300 retail sale places (=Alkos), after >13,000 (=food stores, kiosks, gas stations, restaurants…)
Estimated that this increases the total consumption of alcohol by 6%
150 new alcohol related deaths per year
new hospitalisations due to alcohol per year
The good development gained in alcohol related harm, socioeconomic differences of health problems and youth drinking will be dangered.
ASA EG, Markkula

3. Alcohol policy: what next?
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is appointing a working group in order to follow-up possible effects related to the changes in Alcohol Act
Representatives from authorities, research institutes, NGOs, alcohol industry and alcohol trade
THL is independently following up the possible effects of the law
Price, different brands…
Consumption of different bewerage types
Harms related to alcohol and consumption in different population groups (surveys & registers): eg. child welfare services, substance abuse treatments, disturbances, crimes, costs…
Cross-border trade
Alcohol policy system and attitudes related to it
The change planned in retail sale of alcohol increases the availability of stronger (4,7-5,5%) alcoholic beverages:
Before 300 retail sale places (=Alkos), after >13,000 (=food stores, kiosks, gas stations, restaurants…)
Estimated that this increases the total consumption of alcohol by 6%
150 new alcohol related deaths per year
new hospitalisations due to alcohol per year
The good development gained in alcohol related harm, socioeconomic differences of health problems and youth drinking will be dangered.
ASA EG, Markkula

4. Alcohol imports by travellers April 2005 to December 2017, in million litres 100 % alcohol
Altogether -17,5% in 2017 compared to 2016
ASA EG, Karlsson

5. Attitudes to the prevailing alcohol policy in Finland, 1984-2018
ASA EG, Karlsson

6. Tobacco policy and attitudes related to tobacco policy
Working group on tobacco and nicotine policy appointed to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health continues its’ work: proposals in order to gain smokefree Finland are given in May (more info in Swedish).
In general the current tobacco policy has a strong support from the public > Attitudes differed significantly by smoking status
Social tolerance to smoking is low as well as attitudes towards smokers are negative
Both smokers and non-smokers have rather negative attitudes towards societal support for smoking cessation > attitude-change is needed: smokers deserve help for quitting smoking
Only few differences between educational groups > workplace smoking bans supported more by persons with lower education (different workplace environments > exposure to SHS)
Source: Ruokolainen O et al. Social climate on tobacco control in an advanced tobacco control country: a population- based study in Finland. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, in press.
ASA EG, Markkula & Ruokolainen

7. Tobacco control policy statements by smoking status (% of those who agreed with the statement in 2012)
Source: Ruokolainen O et al. Social climate on tobacco control in an advanced tobacco control country: a population-based study in Finland. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, in press.
ASA EG, Ruokolainen

8. Recent developments related to drugs
New methods to monitor drug use in Finland: part of European Syringe Collection & Analysis Project Enterprise, ESCAPE
Main idea: 2-week monitoring of used narcotic syringes collected from needle exchange points > focus specifically on the injected substances
Study approach allows the assessment of local changes within a city and the detection of IV use of new compounds.
Main findings:
Typically more than one substance found in one syringe > A lot of mixed use of drugs
The most common drugs (IV) found: buprenorphine, methamphetamine and amphetamine (no heroin, fentanil or morphine)
The overall prevalence of new psychoactive substances is small, as well as intravenous use of cocaine is rare.
Abusive use of buprenorphine and naloxone combination product is rare (Suboxone, used in substitution therapy in Finland) > no leaks from substitution therapy
There are significant differences locally in the prevalence of abused substances > supply directs the use of drugs
Carfentanil in Finland: Somewhat detected by customs and police, in has been connected to 4 deaths > nationally listed as a narcotic in the end of 2017
ASA EG, Kailanto & Markkula