Estonian Alcohol Policy from the temperance union perspective Lauri Beekmann Estonian Temperance Union December 2006

The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia  W ith unwavering faith and a steadfast will to strengthen and develop the state,  which is established on the inextinguishable right of the people of Estonia to national self-determination and which was proclaimed on 24 February 1918,  which is founded on liberty, justice and law,  which shall protect internal and external peace, and is a pledge to present and future generations for their social progress and welfare,  which shall guarantee the preservation of the Estonian nation and culture through the ages,  the people of Estonia, on the basis of § 1 of the Constitution which entered into force in 1938, and by a referendum held on 28 June 1992, adopted the following Constitution.

Alcohol consumption: Estonia  86% of Estonians drink  Men, young people and with lower education  In last 10 years - drastic increase  11 litres per capita (13,5 litres over 15 years)  Young people: 60% aged have tried alcohol

Alcohol related harm: Estonia Average lifetime of Estonian men - 12 years shorter than in EU countries and 15 years shorter than in Sweden. 50% of the car accidents, 50% of the drownings, 74% of the violence related crime and 80% of the violent crime commited by the juveniles are connected with alcohol 2000 deaths in a year connected with alcohol (population 1,3 million)

Estonia, alcohol paradise for Finns  Free flow of alcohol in EU  Unlimited amounts from Estonia to Finland  Alcohol three times cheaper in Estonia  78% of the Finnish tourists bought alcohol from Estonia

November 2006Laps ohutsoonis: alkohol7 Changes: drunk before 13 years of age Allikas: Hibell B. The ESPAD Report Stockholm; 2004.

Alcohol policy: Estonia Alcoholism and Drug Prevention Program CANCELLED From January National Drug Prevention Strategy Current situation - No alcohol specialists in governmental structures. Alcohol not mentioned in Estonian Governments Coalition Agreement.

Excise duty – 5% raise  Alcohol excise duty was raised by 5% from 2005, and yet the price of alcoholic beverages has increased less than standard of living.

Excise duty increase delayed  The government has delayed until 2008 increases in excise duty planned for mid-2006 and early 2007 in order to maximise the chances of meeting the Maastricht inflation criterion in mid-2007 and joining the euro zone in January Even with this delay in the tax increases, there is a significant risk that inflation will be too high to allow Estonia to adopt the euro in 2008.

Alcohol policy: availability  Availability of alcohol and restrictions connected with it has been important object for discussion in recent years, which resulted in prohibiting of alcohol sales in kiosks and implementing sales restrictions by local governments.

Availability  Article 42 of the Alcohol Act provides that in its administrative territory, a local government council may establish restrictions concerning the selection, places of sale and forms of sale in retail trade in alcoholic beverages. One after another the local governments have exercised this right. Police have made recommendations to different regions to follow that example.  Amendment: ban of sale from

Selling to minors  Estonian Parliament accepted ( ) the law that makes the second time alcohol selling to the minor a criminal act. Punishment for that crime could be up to one-year imprisonment.

Alcohol advertising - currently  Beer ads from  Strong alcohol from TV3 shows every Saturday evening, starting movies which main audience are young people if not even children. Last Saturday they showed comedy “Thunderbirds” and this Saturday “Jurassic park”. Amendment: ban from

Advertisments/Media: Estonia  Advertisement of all forms of alcohol is banned in Estonia if it: Is directed to children and adolescents up to 18 years of age; Features persons under 18 of age in promotion campaigns; Links consumption of alcohol with improvement of the physical condition; Links consumption of alcohol with driving; Links consumption of alcohol with physical activity improvement, personal problem resolution, social success, and higher sexual activity; Presents false and (or) deceptive information about alcoholic beverages

Lack of consensus  Ministry of Justice opposes the governemntal law that prohibits alcohol sale during night hours.  Ministry of Justice proposes to accept alcohol consumption in public places.  Ministry of Justice supports the raising of BAC of drivers to 0,49%.

Roundtable of ministries  Jaak Aab, Minister of Social Affairs, convened a roundtable (september 2006) of different ministries to form a unified understanding of alcohol policy principles.  Estonian Temperance Union has been asked to be an adviser.

Cost effective policy  Estonian research supports the international findings (Taavi Lai, Tartu University 2005).  Most cost-effective political changes would be: Raising taxes Curtailing availability Banning alcohol advertising

NGO recommendations  Enforcement of the current laws  Children and youth – priority in policy making  Public health more important than economy  Support for the NGO-s in the field  Creating alternatives for alcohol-free lifestyle  Need for Estonian alcohol strategy

 Thank you!  