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Sweden: A Country Overview 173

(Swedish National Institute of Public Health [SNIPH], 2008a), increased disposable
income, and accessibility. Since 2004, it is possible to bring in larger quantities of al-
cohol across borders within the EU due to lifted import restrictions. Persons who are
20 years old can bring in 10 liters of liquor, 20 liters of strong wine, 90 liters of regu-
lar wine, and 110 liters of beer from another EU country to Sweden every time they
travel, without paying custom (Swedish Customs, 2009). It is relatively common for
many Swedes to travel regularly to purchase alcohol at a lower cost in countries like
Denmark and Germany; this practice is particularly common among people living in
the south of Sweden. The introduction of bags in boxes might also have had an effect
on increased alcohol consumption. People drink in particular on weekends. Seasonal
variations are noticeable in that people drink more during the summer and bigger
holidays. Over time, drinking habits have changed from a focus on snaps and hard
liquor to strong beer and wine, the latter being the most consumed drink (SNIPH,
2008a). In Sweden, men drink twice as much as women, but over time women have
also increased their alcohol consumption, in particular women who are between 50
and 75 years old (SNIPH, 2008a). The reasons for the decrease in consumption is ex-
plained by fewer imports and less smuggling (SoRAD, 2009).

Swedish Alcohol Policy
Sweden has historically faced societal problems caused by alcohol consumption.
Excessive drinking can result in health problems and substantial social costs re-
lated to hospital care, violence, and crime. Problems related to alcohol have been
tackled by political goals and by introducing restrictions regarding alcohol con-
sumption. The overall aim of Swedish alcohol policy is to reduce total alcohol
consumption at all levels of society (Government Offices of Sweden, 2008). The
Swedish government has established different goals regarding alcohol policy in
order to reduce medical and social damage of alcohol: (1) promote an alcohol-
free childhood; (2) postpone the age of first experiences with alcohol; (3) provide
more alcohol-free environments; (4) prevent drinking among drivers, in working
life, and during pregnancy; and (5) combat illegal alcohol trading (Government
Offices of Sweden, 2008). There are also a number of governmental instances that
work to implement the alcohol policies. Established in 1992, the Swedish National
Institute of Public Health (SNIPH) is responsible for monitoring and coordinat-
ing implementation of national public health policy—exercising supervision in
the areas of alcohol and developing regulations and general recommendations
(SNIPH, 2008b). Most of the practical public health work in Sweden is carried out
by local authorities and county councils. The National Board of Health and
Welfare (NBHW) is the supervisory authority for social services and health and
medical services (NBHW, 2008).