Finns satisfied with current alcohol policy
Only 27% of the Finnish population want a tougher stance on alcohol policy. 61% are satisfied with the current policy while 10% want a more liberal policy. Some other survey statistics…
- Over one-half of respondents were content with current pricing policies.
- An overwhelming majority supported current purchasing age limits.
- 93% favoured the retention of the ALKO state monopoly on retail sales of liquor.
- Almost 90% favoured the continued sales of medium-grade beer in retail stores.
- Opinions, though, were divided on the possible sale of wines in stores. The current set-up was favoured by most.
- A clear majority of men and women felt that sales of wines in retail outlets would lead to an increase in overall alcohol consumption.
After I’ve been to Germany I have been dissatisfied with Alko.
Comment by Captain Haddock — Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 @ 1:47 pm
Yeah, the beer selection and prices at Alko are pathetic. Finns are really missing out on many good beers because of the monopoly.
Comment by Phil — Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 @ 9:45 pm
I tell you my story. I am italian and I am used to drink a glass or two of wine during meals. You know what? I am drinking more wine here in Finland than I was doing in Italy! I’ll tell you why.
In Italy, you can buy wine (and other alcohol) in normal supermarkets (no assaults in there from people ansious to get drank occur). Therefore, I was used to buy a bottle of wine when I needed during normal food shopping. Of course, sometimes I run out of wine but it was ok.
Here in Finland, I do not have an Alko shop near my home and I have to go far away to buy some wine. Hence, once I go there I buy ten bottles and store them in my place. As a result, I drink more! You know, wine is just there, so much, why not drinking it?
I guess it is something similar with buying tons of sigarettes from tax-free in the airport, you end up smoking more…
Comment by Davide — Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 @ 10:49 pm
Lets cut the tax on spirits, more than any other form of alcohol. It’s not protectionism. Finnish vodka is better for a finns health that French wine
Comment by Finnish honesty — Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 @ 11:27 pm
I prefer Norrlands Guld, thats a swedish beer, I think alot of beer conno-whatevers hate it though. But I like it.
Comment by Captain Haddock — Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 @ 11:57 pm
I actually like that the wise men and women on the hill do the thinking for us. It is so damn anti Finnish to leave concerns that matter to us.
Comment by Petteri — Sat, Apr 29th, 2006 @ 4:29 am
“Finns are really missing out on many good beers because of the monopoly.”
Partly true, I miss e.g. some strong Belgian Trappist beers. However, all supermarkets could sell excellent Czech beer, but they don’t. Because of the monopoly? I don’t think so.
I do not wellcome Pirkka Merlot or Rainbow Chardonnay in 3 liter paperboard packages. This would happen if supermarkets were allowed to sell wines
Comment by Wine and beer lover — Sat, Apr 29th, 2006 @ 9:55 am
I do not wellcome Pirkka Merlot or Rainbow Chardonnay in 3 liter paperboard packages.
Then don’t buy it. Maybe others would want it. Yesterday I was in Alko at the champagne isle. I don’t even know why Alko sells any bottles over 10 euros, EVERYONE wanted the cheap stuff.
Comment by Phil — Sat, Apr 29th, 2006 @ 11:06 am
You think Alcohol is a problem? Try this on for size. The Mexican Government just announced that they’d legalize drugs. It’ll soon be legal to possess: 5 grams of Marijuana, 5 grams of Opium, 25 mg. of Heroin, and 500 mg. of cocaine. They say anything above that is illegal and the possessor will be considered a drug dealer. How’s that for curbing the worlds drug population?
Comment by Ms. New Jersey — Sat, Apr 29th, 2006 @ 2:09 pm
Alko has very high quality products and their selection wines is excellent.
The problem is that S and K groups have so huge share of the markets. Allowing wine sales in supermarkets would in practice mean only changing the system from monopoly to duopoly. The only persons who actually would get the benefit from this are the share holders of K and S groups (I know that S group is owned by “customers”).
I trust that these groups would sell only a few top selling brands (10 reds and 10 whites?) where the price would be between 5-8 euros. It would be impossible to buy high quality wine from supermarkets. Why would they care about quality? You can clearly see how few beer brands are available. It’s only about profit.
Comment by Wine and beer lover — Mon, May 1st, 2006 @ 10:04 am