Weakening of one more alcohol control pillar: a review of the effects of the alcohol tax cuts in Finland in 2004.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To review the consequences of the changes in Finnish alcohol policy in 2004, when quotas for travellers' tax-free imports of alcoholic beverages from other European Union (EU) countries were abolished, Estonia joined the EU and excise duties on alcoholic beverages were reduced in Finland by one-third, on average.

Design

A review of published research and routinely available data.

Setting

Finland.

Measurements

Prices of alcoholic beverages, recorded and unrecorded alcohol consumption, data on criminality and other police statistics, alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations, service use.

Findings

Alcohol consumption increased 10% in 2004, clearly more than in the early 2000s. With few exceptions, alcohol-related harms increased. Alcohol-induced liv

SUBMITTER: Makela P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2928916 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature