Sweden opens up a new EU front in the war on alcohol

[Stockholm]

At the same time as the http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4461888.stm">UK change its licensing laws allowing 24 hour drinking in some areas the Swedish government steps up its efforts in lobbying for a EU wide change in alcohol policy.

Alcohol is today viewed within the EU as a any other commodity for sale to consumers and thus the "four freedoms" apply to it.

In a bid to highlight the societal consequences of such an view, the state owned alcohol monopoly "Systembolaget" have engaged in an advertising campaign which was launched in FT yesterday.

The main tool in the campaign is the http://www.euro.who.int/document/E67946.pdf">WTO report, which estimates that alcohol costs the EU between 200 and 500 Bn Euros every year, a prize tag that correlates to between 2 and 5 percent of GNP in the EU.

To create interest in the issue "Systembolaget" has produced a short film especially for the President of the European commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barosso called www.dearmrB.se (Star War fans will love it).

So, is this an important issue? Isn´t the right to drink yourself to an early grave a natural right? Not necessarily in Sweden since here every citizen is guaranteed universal healthcare which means that the costs (110 Bn SEK p.A.) is covered by our taxes. Further, what makes it a progressive issue is that http://www.fhi.se/templates/Page2cols____616.aspx">studies have shown that like obesity, alcohol is a class issue affecting certain socio-economic groups more severely than others.

In Sweden alcohol generates 31 Bn SEK p.A. in sales but at the same time costs the society 110 Bn SEK p.A. In order for alcohol to cover its own costs a bottle of Whiskey should cost 560 SEK, appr. 68 US dollars.

Cheers.

[smirkymonkey]

1. Is alcoholism a class issue or is it just that the rich can hide it

better? I know a LOT of rich, but functional drunks.