Cut in Alcohol Tax Blamed for Finnish Deaths

Cut in Alcohol Tax Blamed for Finnish Deaths
December 12, 2005

Research Summary

Alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths and disease have all risen since Finland cut taxes on alcohol products in 2004, Reuters reported Dec. 9.

Data from a national health research agency showed that 1,860 Finns died from alcohol-related diseases in 2004, up 20 percent from 2003. Liver cirrhosis deaths rose 30 percent in just one year, as alcohol consumption jumped 10 percent.

"The increase in consumption is roughly as big as we had expected, as is the alcohol-related mortality," said Esa Osterberg of the group Stakes.

Finland, which sells alcohol through a state-run monopoly, cut alcohol taxes by one-third in March 2004. Current Health and Social Services Minister Lisa Hyssala supports raising the tax, but has been opposed by the Finnish finance ministry.

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