Finland and Sweden Take Steps to Ease Strict Alcohol Laws

Sweden and Finland are moving to ease their stringent alcohol sales regulations while maintaining their state-run monopolies. The government in Stockholm plans to introduce “farm sales,” allowing alcohol producers to sell their products directly to consumers on-site. Meanwhile, Finland’s legislature has approved the sale of fermented beverages such as beer, wine, and cider with up to 8% alcohol content in supermarkets, up from the previous limit of 5.5%.

In both countries, alcohol purchases are generally restricted to government-operated stores or licensed establishments. They are the only EU nations that maintain such monopolies, a tradition rooted in Nordic culture aimed at reducing alcohol consumption for public welfare.

The Finnish parliament passed the new law for fermented drinks with a vote of 102 to 80, with the Christian Democrats, part of the ruling coalition, unanimously opposing it due to public health concerns, fearing an increase in alcohol consumption. The newly approved beverages are expected to be available in stores as soon as next week, although distilled spirits are not included in this legislation.

In Sweden, the center-right government plans to support small businesses by allowing the sale of alcoholic products like wine, beer, cider, and spirits directly from producers to visitors. This initiative is aimed at creating memorable experiences and is expected to be implemented in 2025.

Both legislative changes may require review by the European Commission to ensure they comply with competition laws. The Commission has already raised concerns about Finland’s exclusion of distilled spirits from its new law.

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