Underage alcohol consumption trends shift in Finland as strong beverages gain popularity

Underage alcohol consumption has been decreasing for some time, but recent trends suggest that the use of strong alcoholic beverages may now be on the rise, according to Kirsimarja Raitasalo, a specialist researcher at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). A new student survey on substance use indicates that a growing number of minors perceive obtaining strong alcoholic drinks as easy.

Research shows that the ease of acquiring alcoholic beverages is directly linked to consumption rates. Conversely, the proportion of young people who find it easy to obtain light alcoholic drinks has decreased somewhat in recent years. According to school studies and health surveys, minors most often acquire alcohol through friends, who may either be of legal age or find other means to obtain drinks. However, the trend of obtaining alcohol from friends appears to be declining, possibly due to a decrease in the number of peers who consume and share alcohol.

Instead, young people are increasingly receiving alcohol from their parents, whether being offered drinks in a parental setting or having it purchased for them. Parents may believe they are teaching responsible drinking habits by providing small amounts of alcohol in a controlled environment. There is a perception that it is safer for a parent to provide alcohol rather than allowing their child to obtain it from an unreliable source.

Additionally, Raitasalon notes that it is likely alcohol is also being procured through social media. Nowadays, various intermediaries operate on social platforms, where users can acquire everything from vapes to cannabis. A recent online survey published by the Finnish anti-drug organization EHYT shows that many Finnish teenagers aged 15-17 obtain their alcohol specifically through social media channels.