scot47

Comments from users ? From observers ? From Temperance Folk and Good Templars ?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systembolaget
http://www.systembolaget.se/english/

scot47

If they do not know about that, the chances are no one here has heard of "The Gothenburg System" known to those of us from mining districts in Fife, the Lothians and Stirlingshire. Scandinavian experiments in Temperance and Drinking Control had a huge influence on our side of the North Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothen...c_House_System

The Local

Sweden can't afford to loose control of the Systembolaget.
The revenue generated by this monopoly is too great for the state to relinquish.

Dick Dasterdly

Systembollox long ago outlived its usefulness.
Alcohol is readily and easily available from many sources.

Quite a lot is brought in through the borders undetected.
Homemade wines are very popular.
Illicit Vodka is widely available, especially out in the sticks, where it's quite entertaining to watch the locals always one step ahead of the cops.

Swedes generally being a subservient bunch, SB will always have its users, but as far as controlling alcohol intake is concerned, especially amongst the youngsters, it's a total waste of time, as a glimpse at the state of some of the local parks after a weekend session will no doubt confirm.

Pythagoras

(From their website) Systembolaget exists for one reason: To minimize alcohol-related problems by selling alcohol in a responsible way, without profit motive.

In reality, its just there to maximize government revenue by selling alcohol as expensively as possible, usually in undersized bottles, while having minimal impact (if any) on alcohol consumption.

Even a successful challenge to the monopoly itself, in the ECJ, would probably make no difference as Sweden would likely just ignore it

scot47

Alcohol is a problem in Scandinavia, as it is in other countries in Northern Europe - Ireland, Scotland, Germany. I find the strange death of Temperance an interesting historical phenomenon.I no longer use ardent spirits myself but rejoice in a nice cup of tea or glass of soda pop ! I had my share in my Youth !
Scandinavia still has functioning Temperance Organisations - long gone from the UK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern..._Good_Templars

Dick Dasterdly

Interesting how alcohol consumption on weekdays is still frowned upon.
Due to the very nature of their society I think there are quite a high percentage of secret drinkers in Sweden.
Great entertainment to watch them when they do finally come out of their shells and let their hair down as on the booze cruises.

scot47

Finns are the worst. Maybe the worst on Planet Earth.

Dick Dasterdly

Finns know how to get it out of their system.

Swedes just brood....

except when on holiday of course.

Norwegians only slightly different.

Danes much more outgoing.

All generalisations of course.

scot47

I had always DD was resident in Thpain with the Cathtilianth. He appears to be with the Scandis !

Gordon Barlow

I'm told that as many Norskies as can manage it, drive over into Sweden just to stock up on booze, because it's all much cheaper there.

Dick Dasterdly

Sweden certainly isn't cheap as far as legal supplies are concerned, though there are constant booze cruises between the two countries where Norwegians stock up at favourable rates, providing they aren't too comatosed to carry it home.

Dick Dasterdly

You just never know do you ?

I have spent a lot of time in Scandiland over the past twenty odd years and still have property over there, though I don't use it much now and in more recent years it's mainly been rented out.

scot47

I will get my Viking cousins to come around and check you out.

Dick Dasterdly

There's virtually no Vikings left in Sweden,.... only Fairies.

There was some research done a few years back about tracing Viking bloodlines, turned out there was more in the UK than in Sweden.