Alcohol intake keeps growing

Despite a relatively low annual consumption of alcohol per capita, Estonia's drinking traditions are not as "noble" as in Western Europe and pose a threat to the health of the nation, according to a recent survey.

Marje Josing, director of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, which along with the Ministry of Agriculture published the survey, said the local drinking habits suffered heavily from the influence of the big, vodka-obsessed neighbor to the east.

"The alcohol culture in Western Europe is mature, and people there prefer weaker drinks, like wine and beer," said Josing. "In Estonia, the popularity of vodka is still at a higher level [compared to Western Europe]."

In 2001 the pure alcohol consumption per capita was 8.4 liters, and Estonia's tourists digested some 0.7 liters of that. An average Estonian resident drank 8.1 liters of strong spirits, 2.5 liters of wine and sparkling wine, and 63 liters of beer in 2001, which is about 5 percent more than in 2000.

In Luxembourg, the country with the highest alcohol consumption in Europe, the consumption rate per capita of high-proof spirits was a little over 12 liters, though weak spirits like wine contributed to almost 90 percent of that huge amount.

The rate of alcohol consumption in Estonia has been steadily growing since 1998, according to the survey.

Josing added that the share of illegally sold alcohol was about 10 percent of the overall consumption in 2001, which is less than in 2000.

Popularity of foreign-produced vodka increased after the tragic methanol-poisoning incident in Parnu that took 68 lives in August 2001.

Retail alcohol prices have remained at a slightly higher level in Estonia compared with the rest of the Baltics and the Czech Republic but still are much lower than in Finland or Sweden.

For example, a bottle of premium beer costs about 0.60 euros in Tallinn, 0.28 euros in Prague and 1.71 euro in Helsinki. A 0.7 liter bottle of vodka that costs about 5.80 euros in Estonia will go for three times that price in Finland (about 21 euros).

The survey also claimed that about 80 percent of Estonian population aged 16 to 75 drink various alcohol beverages, while some 30 percent of the population drink vodka (mostly residents of southern and northeastern regions).

About 1 percent drink vodka every day, said the survey.

Interestingly enough, the rate of vodka consumption depends on the level of education. People with university degree prefer brandy, whisky and other strong spirits to vodka, said the survey.

Restrictions in retail alcohol sale would help to make the nation healthier, claim survey organizers.

According to the survey, about 70 percents of Estonian alcohol consumers stated that alcohol should not be sold 24 hours a day and should also be banned from the numerous gas station shops.

However, only some 30 percent said they thought booze was too easily accessible.

Still, mass consumption has brought about a wide choice in brands. Vilja Vahi, a researcher with the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, said that the variety of alcoholic beverages in Estonian shops has improved a lot since the mid-90s.

"In a small shop somewhere in southern Estonia one can find just a few sorts of bread, but the assortment of vodka can reach almost 60 brands," she said.