Alcohol consumption likely to fall in Finland

There is every reason to assume that the consumption of alcohol will begin to fall in Finland, if we follow the trends in other European countries used as a comparison. Consumption has already begun to decline in countries such as France, Germany and Denmark, which has the highest alcohol consumption of all the Nordic countries. Finland’s current consumption figures are starting to fall to the level in these countries, according to Professor Jussi Kauhanen, who is in charge of the FinDrink Study at the University of Kuopio. This research project is part of the Academy of Finland's Substance Use and Addictions research programme.

“Future trends in Finland depend very much on the overall economic development and, to a certain extent, on government policy towards alcohol. The most significant factors in major changes are, however, cultural. A considerable change in consumption habits is possible if, for instance, the prevailing attitude and the requirements of working life cease to support excessive use of alcohol,”, says Kauhanen.

Total consumption in Finland has not significantly increased since 2004. The consumption of strong liquor peaked in the 1970s and 80s, and its popularity has clearly declined since, with the exception of a slight jump caused by the 2004 tax reform. The popularity of wine has been increasing slowly but surely at the expense of other drinks in the long term.

Daily moderate alcohol use is not traditionally part of Finnish drinking habits, although, according to the study, risky binge drinking has decreased somewhat in recent years. On the other hand, the share of teetotallers in the population is on the increase.

The population at large are confused by the contradictory information they receive about the health effects of alcohol. The harm caused by heavy drinking is undeniable but, at the same time, the possible benefits of moderate use and, in particular, the effect of red wine in reducing the risk of heart disease, are frequently seen in the media. International studies have conclusively proved that a low daily alcohol consumption of 1-2 units reduces the risk of fatal coronary artery disease. The physiological mechanisms at work here are by now relatively well researched.

Alcohol cannot be considered a functional food under any circumstances. Many of the effects of alcohol are very individual. On the population level, the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are only in evidence for men over the age of 40 and women over 50. Alcohol provides no benefits at all for the young. There are many population groups for whom even a small amount of alcohol presents an additional risk or is completely unsuitable. The elderly may experience problems arising from the combined effect of alcohol and medication, even if their consumption is moderate. 

Further information is provided by Jussi Kauhanen, Professor of Public Health at the University of Kuopio, email jussi.kauhanen(at)uku.fi

 
Academy of Finland Communications
Communications Specialist, Leena Vähäkylä
leena.vahakyla(at)aka.fi