ABSTRACT
In the Nordic social-democratic countries, the concept of the welfare state is often the broader concept. Alcohol control policy is included in the sphere of responsibility of the welfare state, a fact that has been underscored in the Nordic countries’ ongoing discussion with the European Union to justify alcohol-political arrangements that Nordic nations institutionalised generations ago. Many member states operate with laws and rules governing alcoholic beverages, but not necessarily for the purpose of restricting alcohol consumption. The debate about alcohol political measures has always been intense in the Nordic countries, but during the 1990s the traditional Nordic alcohol policy has been threatened more than before and by new sources. One of the most important factors for the formation of an alcohol control policy in each country is public opinion. Changes in popular attitudes can induce changes in alcohol control policy, and the outcome of alcohol control policy changes can further influence people’s attitudes.
