Supervisory programme for alcohol administration

The National Supervisory Authority for Health and Welfare (Valvira) guides the Regional State Administrative Agencies in the supervision of the serving, retail sales and advertising of alcoholic beverages. One of the tools is the national supervisory programme for alcohol administration, which Valvira prepares together with the Regional State Administrative Agencies.

The current programme was prepared for 2019–2024. During the programme period, the authorities focus more on the supervision of high-risk areas determined on the basis of supervision needs. Supervision guides the alcohol trade towards responsible sales, ensures compliance with the Alcohol Act and supports the development of the self-monitoring of licence applicants and licence holders.

The supervisory programme aims to guide, reform and harmonise alcohol administration by responding to the challenges currently faced by the authorities and the alcohol trade. The supervisory programme defines the basic duties and target state of alcohol administration. Strategic priorities have also been defined for the supervisory programme period to guide the use of resources in regional alcohol administration and clarify the roles and interaction between the various actors involved in the implementation of the Alcohol Act. The supervisory programme also guides the regional licensing administration and supervision of the serving, retail sales and advertising of alcoholic beverages to harmonise the practices and ensure effective enforcement of the Alcohol Act.

Basic duty, target state and strategic priorities of alcohol administration

The basic duty of alcohol administration is to prevent the harm caused by alcohol to its users, other people and society as a whole by supervising business activities related to alcohol.

The target state of alcohol administration is to be a harmonised, efficient and effective supporter of the self-monitoring of responsible alcohol trade.

The target state can be achieved by emphasising the following strategic objectives: