A ‘living wage’ is a term that often crops up when people talk about responsibility in the supply chain. It is subject to a broad range of assumptions, expectations and opinions. And debates are not always grounded on facts. How is the value of a product sold in Finland formed? What kind of roles are to be found in the supply chain and who is responsible for ensuring that employees are paid a living wage?

Here in Finland, we often associate rum with hot drinks to warm you up on winter days. However, rum has its roots far from the snowy north – all the way back in the 15th-century Caribbean. At that time, rum was believed to have healing properties. It was consumed as a cure for tropical diseases. It has since been discovered that rum actually has the opposite effect – it is made from sugar cane, which is cultivated in conditions that are now known to cause CKDnT (Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined causes) in plantation workers.

Families that move to Finland from different cultural and language backgrounds often run into the alcohol culture and habits of Finns – especially through the young members of the family – which may differ radically from the habits and customs of the parents.

Intoxicant use during motherhood is an emotionally volatile issue – it is often considered reprehensible for a mother to abuse intoxicants. For this reason, the threshold for seeking assistance can be high, even though it is crucially important for both the expectant mother and new child to get help.

This year, Alko decided to run its own stand at the Anti-substance Abuse Days to raise awareness of an important theme – FASD – in collaboration with the Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. However, here at Alko, the idea of participating did make us think. Can Alko promote FASD awareness in the way we’d like? Will taking part be a threat or an opportunity?

Concerns over the state of our planet have made many of us think about how we can be greener in our consumption choices. For instance, there has been much discussion about the impact of food choices on the environment. In addition to making sustainable choices for a dinner party, you can also be environmentally friendly in your wine picks. The next time you go shopping for festive beverages, take this three-point checklist with you.

No fewer than 47% of young people think that the desire for a healthy lifestyle reduces interest in drinking alcohol.

I spent last year watching the world through “alcohol-aware glasses.”  I examined how people use alcohol, how they talk about it and how they illustrate it.

As the holidays approach, the children and young people’s helpline often receives calls from children whose Christmas spirit is rather low.

I’m going shopping and realize midway that I’ve forgotten my shopper despite all the good intentions. At the checkout counter I buy a plastic bag even though it is annoying. Sounds familiar?

Although alcohol consumption has declined among young people since the turn of the millennium, many student events still revolve around alcohol.

It is fairly safe to say that alcohol has always been a contentious issue in Finland. The debate has been heated at times especially in recent years when alcohol laws have come under scrutiny.