Finland Times

Photo - Lehtikuva.

The Health and Social Services Minister, Susanna Huovinen on Mondayunderscored the necessity for detail discussions to bring amendment in the alcohol law.

 

“I wish there should be discussions to find out the way for how the alcohol law could be changed,” the minister told STT, adding that some sections of the law could be removed, if there is no effectiveness.

 

She also said that the discussion could be also held on exact measurement rules of alcohol drinks in the restaurants.

 

Huovinen said the ministry is planning to bring reforms in the alcohol law considering that consumption of alcohol caused huge losses to the society.

 

Glass and bottle of red wine, and white bread. Photo - Lehtikuva.

Earlier, the minister, speaking at the global health conference held in Helsinki fromJune 10 to June 14 said that the authorities have successfully been able to bring down alcohol consumption in the country by 10 per cent in recent years to reduce harms caused by it.

The minister said they have been able to reduce the use of alcohol through the cooperation of different branches of administration and increase tax on alcohol.
 

The minister claimed that alcohol-related deaths have decreased significantly with the reduction of the alcohol-consumption.

"A common goal of the government is to reduce the harm caused by the use of alcohol and to improve the health of the Finnish citizens. The goal of a government initiative presented to Parliament on Thursday is to reduce the situations in which children and young people are exposed to alcohol advertising.

 

“Restrictions will be imposed on the advertisement of alcohol in the social media", the Minister said at the conference, adding that a bill to this effect will be drafted.

Such a bill will be the first of its kind in the world.

"The social, economic, and environment-related causes of many diseases often go hand-in-hand with the ageing population, fast urbanisation and unhealthy lifestyles.

 

They are often outside the sphere of influence of the social and health sector. 'Health in all policies' thinking increases the responsibility of decision-makers on the health effects at all levels of decision-making", Minister Huovinen added.