PAM is disappointed: decision by the Parliament of Finland worsens Alcohol Act
Sales person Sari-Mattila Vornanen in K-Market on Mäkelänkatu in August 2017. Photo by Susanna Kekkonen
The Parliament of Finland decided to raise the percentage limit of alcohol sold in grocery stores and to remove the restriction on fermentation method. In PAM’s opinion parliament’s decision risks having a negative effect on employment and work safety as well as the government’s objective to shift alcohol consumption to restaurants.
The parliament voted on the new Alcohol Act today and rejected the report of the Social Affairs and Health Committee, which proposed retaining both the current percentage limit and the restriction on fermentation method. The Parliament’s decision means for example that in future strong beers and also mixed drinks will be able to be sold in grocery stores.
PAM has been active in work on reforming the Alcohol Act for several years, since our members are very much affected by amendments to the law. The decision now taken risks undermining overall employment and work safety.
For PAM it has been important to ensure employment and work safety. According to PAM, the best way to support employment is to shift consumption to restaurants. The amendment that has been adopted is likely to increasingly shift consumption to the home. The government’s objective to shift alcohol consumption to restaurants risks remaining an illusion.
PAM President Ann Selin said in September that the Alcohol Act should not be relaxed at the expense of the safety of workers and customers:
“It is challenging for salespersons working alone to manage situations where they have to refuse to sell alcohol to a customer because of the age limit, inebriation or the time of day”, Selin stated.
PAM’s industrial policy expert, Katri Jakosuo, also said back in August that expanding the range on sale in shops could lead to problems:
“The greatest concern is if grocery stores start selling stronger gin long drinks and alcopops. In other countries alcopops have increased alcohol consumption among young people. In other countries alcopops have increased alcohol consumption among young people.”
Throughout the legal drafting stage, PAM has drawn attention to the fact that increasing alcohol sales in large grocery retailing units will not increase employment to the same extent that it will have a negative effect on employment in Alko shops.