The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Excess Male Mortality in Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Sweden

Abstract

weden has the lowest per capita consumption of alcohol in Western Europe together with the Nordic sister nations Norway and Iceland, according to recent official statistics. Alcohol-related deaths are consequently low in a European perspective. This level is ascribed to the Swedish policy based on farreaching administrative restrictions and on the high taxes imposed on alcohol sale. However, ideological influences that encourage conscientiousness and temperance have also been exercised historically by strong popular movements: the absolutist temperance societies, working class organisations and the non-conformist free churches (outside the Swedish Lutheran Church). Many of those who defend this system with a low consumption policy today foresee great risks regarding the social and health-related consequences if the European Union efforts to liberalise the restrictive Swedish policy in order to ‘harmonise’ trade in alcoholic beverages are carried through. The great interest in alcohol in the contemporary debate on public health issues in Sweden motivates a closer examination of the historical experiences with alcohol policies and traditions regarding consumption levels and health effects.