Pubdate: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 Source: Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (Finland) Copyright: 2002 2000 Helsingin Sanomat Contact: http://www.helsinki-hs.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1158 Author: Helsingin Sanomat FACTFILE: A VIOLENT PERIOD IN FINNISH HISTORY The Finnish Parliament passed prohibition a number of times - in the years 1907, 1909, 1911, and 1914. Each time the Czar rejected it. Finland became independent in 1917, and a new law on prohibition came into effect on June 1, 1919. It was repealed nearly 13 years later on the 5th of April 1932 at 10:00 AM. The exact time is easy to remember as a countdown: 5-4-3-2-1-0. The repeal of prohibition came after an advisory referendum showed extensive public dissatisfaction with its consequences. During the prohibition years average consumption of alcohol increased in Finland from 1.5 to two litres of pure alcohol a year per capita. In the years 1922 - 1926 the per capita homicide rate in Finland was ten times that of Sweden or Britain. Prohibition made Finnish drinking habits more intoxication-oriented than before. A high alcohol content became a more desirable quality in a drink than good taste. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex