Authors

• Österberg, Esa (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES))

Keywords

alcohol policy, alcohol smuggling, alcohol use, drinking behaviour, drinking offences, prices, retail outlets, smoking, tobacco smuggling, underage drinking

Abstract

The survey studied Finnish public opinion on alcohol control policies. Other topics included smoking habits and tobacco purchase patterns.

The respondents were asked how often they drink alcohol. Views were probed on alcohol control measures imposed in Finland and which retail outlets people should be able to buy beer, wine or spirits from. Some questions focused on what would happen to wine prices, wine selection and wine consumption among women and young people if it were possible to buy wine from grocery stores. The respondents were also asked whether they supported or objected to the proposal to allow grocery stores to sell wine. Opinions on the legal age to buy beer, wine and spirits were surveyed, as well as opinions on beer, wine and spirits price levels.

Regarding smoking and tobacco purchase habits, the respondents were asked what tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff) and what amount they had brought to Finland from abroad during the past 12 months. Some questions covered how often they smoked in general and how many cigarettes a week or a year. Further questions investigated purchasing smuggled tobacco or buying from street sellers.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, basic education, vocational education, economic activity and occupational status, employment status, type of municipality, province and region (NUTS2) of residence, annual gross income of the household, number and age of household members, household composition, economic activity and occupational status of household head, and R's primary and secondary choice of political party if the parliamentary elections were held at that time, and choice of party in the 1999 parliamentary elections.