Sweden’s state monopoly on the sale of alcohol was dealt a blow

Date: 06/03/1997

this week by European Court of Justice Advocate-General Michael Elmer, who issued a formal opinion that Stockholm's monopoly on the retail sale of alcoholic beverages was an unreasonable “obstacle” to trade. Advocate-generals' opinions are not binding on the full Court, but tend to be followed by its judges. Stockholm reacted angrily to the news, but stressed the issue was not yet closed. Health and Social Affairs Minister Margot Wallstrom said that under no circumstance would the practice be ended. Sweden argues the monopoly is a central plank of its policy to control alcoholism.