Due to the pandemic, the term kalsarikännit has attracted worldwide attention in recent years, as have the Swedish term fika and the Danish term hygge. The idea of Kalsarikännit may not be so far off in popularity: according to a survey by the Institute of Health and Well-being, participating Finns said that 77% of their recent drinking episodes took place at home. The culture of alcohol consumption in Finland is widespread and complex. Alcohol is part of the culture in the form of official holidays, celebrations and relaxation with friends, student events and even at work. The Finnish rum brand Ron de Jeremy has been banned from using Ron Jeremy`s face in the packaging. Valvira accused them of making people wonder if they get better sexual skills if they drink this rum. There is nothing like it in the bottle. According to Valvira, the face does. Does Ron Jeremy`s face excite you? Yes, I thought.

Many who plan to visit Finland are curious about various aspects of Finnish culture, and drinking alcohol in Finland is a common question. But first, let`s start with the legal drinking age in Finland. The legal age to buy drinks containing up to 22% alcohol by volume in Finland is 18 and the legal age to buy stronger alcoholic beverages is 20. In bars and restaurants, however, the legal age for the purchase of drinks of any kind is 18. In chemical terms, alcohol is an organic compound formed during the fermentation of grains, vegetables or fruits. Medically, alcohol is classified as a sedative (as opposed to a stimulant like caffeine or a hallucinogen like psilocybin) with a variety of physiological effects. Most of these effects involve slowing down or obstructing bodily functions. For example, alcohol inhibits bodily motor functions and slows reaction times.

The more you drink, the slower and clumsier they become. Similarly, alcohol also hinders the brain`s communication pathways. While one or two drinks can make a person looser and more relaxed, continued consumption leads to symptoms such as slurred speech, cloudy thinking, and poor decision-making. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to additional complications such as vomiting, memory loss, drowsiness up to fainting, and in extreme cases, alcohol poisoning. Finally, long-term excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to serious physiological conditions, including (but not limited to) pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, hyperglycemia, cancer, and various neurological disorders. It is not uncommon for the sound of bottles slamming against each other in plastic bags to accompany groups. The consumption of alcohol in public places is technically prohibited in Finland, but the police allow it as long as the consumption of alcohol does not cause trouble. Finnish drinking culture revolves around the idea of celebrating, whether the occasion is in the middle of summer or just a normal Saturday. In the cold and dark environment, Finns tend to find every reason to celebrate – and you can`t blame them! In Finland, it is forbidden to depict Santa Claus (or elves) on a seasonal Christmas beer label “if their body structure is childish”. All animal mascots (including Rudolph the reindeer) are also banned for encouraging children to drink beer. How about that red nose? You can`t use words that refer to “strong” in your label or marketing.

The spirit called Woima (Power) was banned and Sander`s beer slogan “General Sandels was stronger than a bear” was considered illegal marketing. They think it emphasizes the positive aspects of alcohol. How positive is this – and who made this call? They banned the Duff Beer label in Finland because Valvira considers Simpsons (the show is not dubbed or anything in Finland, by the way) as a children`s show. Another beer that would attract children to drink. Oh! Duff-Man is bad. Instead, they think a Finnish Viivi & Wagner cartoon is acceptable because it is obvious to Valvira that this cartoon is for adults. By the way, in this comic, men are pigs (literally). Critics of the alcohol policy change say it could increase alcohol consumption among young people and increase the rate of alcohol abuse, but some Finns say the change is long overdue. “Finns tend to see alcohol policy in terms of their own alcohol consumption, but also as a relationship between the state and citizens,” says Matilda Hellman, a sociologist at the University of Helsinki. Alcohol consumption varies considerably from country to country, as does the legal drinking age. In the United States, you must be at least 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages (with some exceptions in some jurisdictions).

Surprisingly, this is one of the highest ages in the world to drink. To the north of the United States is Canada, which has a legal drinking age of 18 to 19, and the legal drinking age is much lower in many other countries.