DG Sanco released on april 6th a report concerning the affordability of alcoholic producs across Europe, and of the potential impacts of affordability on harmful use of alcohol. The report was conducted by Rand, a nonprofit research organisation, for the European Commission.
The major findings in the report is
There has been a decline in the real value of alcohol excise duty rates across the EU
The real value of excise duty rates for most alcoholic beverages has gone down since 1996 in the vast majority of EU Member States. Notable exceptions are …

After Finland lowered their alcohol duties in 2004 with 33% they experienced a rapid increase in consumption and harm from alcohol use. Police reported of an 25% increase in drunk-driving, alcohol-ralated violence increased with 20% the year after the tax reduction, and consumption increased with around 20%.
Since then taxes has been raised, and now the finish governement again has announced an a ten per cent increase from october. Duties on spirits will rise more than those on mild beverages.