Do Norway's strict drink laws curb alcohol-related problems? Audrey Andersenreports
One of the first things that strikes you coming from Ireland is the sheer inconvenience of buying alcohol in Norway. Once you overcome the shock of high prices and availability, a bigger story emerges. The high retail price of alcohol, state-owned alcohol monopolies, a ban on alcohol advertising, restrictions on the sale of beer in supermarkets, and strictly enforced drink-driving laws are all part of a deliberate alcohol-control policy.
Alcohol abuse is regarded as a serious public health issue in Ireland and reducing consumption is seen to be one way of combating the problem of excessive drinking.
Alcohol consumption in Norway is very low compared with other countries, at around 6.46 litres of pure alcohol per person per year. Annual recorded alcohol-related deaths have also fallen from 371 in 2001 to 309 in 2005. These figures would seem to indicate that reducing the availability of alcohol is an effective measure in reducing the problem of alcohol-related problems.
The high retail cost of alcohol is justified on the principle that an increase in price leads to a decrease in consumption. The sale of wine and spirits in Norway has been controlled by a state-owned monopoly, Vinmonopolet, since 1923. The monopoly states in its literature that a "key element in Norwegian alcohol policy has been to remove the private profit motive from sales of wine, spirits and strong beer. As a result, Vinmonopolet is wholly owned by the state."
Opening times in these shops are generally in line with normal shopping times, so careful planning is required. For instance, the Vinmonopolet closed for a half day on the Saturday before Christmas, only re-opening on December 27th. There are also only 200 Vinmonopolet shops serving a population of 4.6 million.
Paradoxically, the Vinmonopolet buys in such high quantities, and as all wine is taxed equally, it is often the case that expensive wines can often be bought cheaper than in other countries. A good selection of wine is often on offer with superior customer service from trained professionals.
Beer below 4.75 per cent volume can be bought in supermarkets but there are restrictions on hours and days of sale; generally up to 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays. The age limit for wine and beer is 18 years and the minimum age limit for hard spirits (22 per cent and over) is 20 years. Travelling over the border to Sweden to buy cheaper alcohol is, however, still a time-honoured tradition in the far north.
Alcohol advertising is completely banned in Norway. There is also a zero-tolerance attitude to drink-driving. The limit is very low, at 0.02 per cent; equivalent to a small glass of wine. Technically, you are not allowed to drink in public in Norway, which can extend to your own balcony if you can be seen. This rule, however, is rarely enforced.
There has been a gradual change in public attitude towards alcohol policy but most Norwegians seem satisfied with the current system. Interestingly, opposition seems to be more about state intervention in people's lifestyle choices, rather than the social and health implications. Some people view it as state paternalism while others feel the sale of alcohol should be subject to free-market logic.
Yet, it is the notion of a sense of social responsibly that drives alcohol policy in Norway today; one that is seen to be too important to leave to laissez-faire market forces. The populist Progress Party received little support a few years ago when it suggested that wine and spirits be taken out of the clutches of the state monopoly.
According to a TNS Gallup Poll, only 16 per cent of Norwegians favoured the suggestion. In June 2006, right-wing parties moved to put an end to Norway's prohibitive restrictions on the sale of beer. The Centre and Labour parties, however, reacted strongly against such a motion, stating that this was "a serious setback for safety and health".
Norwegian drinking habits and patterns are changing and becoming more Continental. In line with other countries, Norwegians are now drinking more wine. According to the Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, Norwegians over the age of 15 are now drinking 30 per cent more alcohol than 10 years ago. Figures from the central statistics bureau (Statistisk sentralbyrå) show that since 1945, the total consumption of alcohol has more than trebled.
However, Norwegians still drink far less than their European counterparts. Norway is often perceived as a "dry" country but historically it had a very serious alcohol problem in the 19th century. Interestingly, alcohol consumption at that time was on a par with that of Ireland today; a figure of 13 litres of pure alcohol per year.
• Audrey Andersenis a freelance journalist living in Norway.