Abstract
The national Swedish policy on alcohol has been eroded since the country joined the European Union (EU) in 1996, leading to a steep increase in the private import of alcohol. We investigate the impact on drinking patterns of the greater availability of alcohol among adolescents. Two cross-sectional data sets, collected in 2003 (n = 2,760) and 2005 (n = 2,031) in schools in southern Sweden, were used in the analyses. The proportion of students reporting that they often or always consumed imported alcohol increased 31% between 2003 and 2005. Comparing the data between the two samples revealed a significant decrease in binge drinking between the two surveys. The increased availability of alcohol among 17- to 18-year-olds in southern Sweden has led to a polarization of drinking patterns. Based on the results it may be suggested that alcohol consumption in the studied population may be independent of availability.
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