In Finland, a new dispute has arisen in parliament concerning the deregulation of alcohol sales. Opposition representatives are demanding that the government amend a proposal regarding the reform of alcohol laws, drawing attention to a contentious issue that has persisted for nearly two decades. Central to this debate is whether it is permissible to order alcohol from the online shops of other EU member states, a practice that Finnish law does not currently prohibit. However, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has maintained that so-called remote sales are illegal, despite the European Union's principles that would make such a ban impossible.

Recently, the government has proposed changing the law to allow for the ordering of alcohol directly to consumers' homes from both domestic and foreign stores. One peculiar aspect of this proposed law is that alcohol purchased from domestic stores would be limited to only lower-strength products, with a maximum of eight percent alcohol by volume. This limitation raises questions about the rationale behind distinguishing between domestic and foreign online sales and reflects ongoing tensions around the regulation of alcohol in Finland.

This renewed debate not only highlights the complexities of alcohol regulation in Finland but also reflects larger societal attitudes towards alcohol consumption and the influence of EU regulations on national laws. As Parliament seeks to navigate these challenges, the implications of any law changes could significantly affect consumer choices and the market landscape for alcohol sales in Finland, indicating a potential shift towards a more liberal approach to alcohol availability in the future.