The legal framework for the production of alcohol for personal use within the European Union

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Carolin Kilian - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto (Author)
  • Fleur Braddick - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Author)
  • Jürgen Rehm - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto, University of Hamburg, WHO Collaborating Centre on Substance Use, Noncommunicable Diseases and Policy Impact, ASPB Public Health Agency of Barcelona (Author)

Abstract

Aim: This paper provides an overview of the legal framework for alcohol produced for personal use in European Union (EU) Member States. Methods: We reviewed the national excise duty legislations of EU Member States and conducted an online mapping survey, in which 10 alcohol experts from seven EU Member States plus Iceland participated. Results: We found that the production of alcohol for personal use is tax exempt in 12 jurisdictions, with four countries stipulating a maximum volume of alcohol that can be produced for personal use. The most common alcoholic beverages concerned were beer and wine, while only one country set a tax exemption for spirits. The results were complemented by the alcohol expert mapping survey; tax exemptions were reported for two additional Member States. Conclusion: Legal exemptions for the production of alcohol for personal use were established in every second EU Member State and may therefore contribute to the unrecorded consumption of alcohol in these countries. In light of the detrimental health effects of alcohol, economic interests to support the local small-scale production of alcohol have to be carefully evaluated against public health interests.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)439-447
Number of pages9
JournalNAD Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
Volume41
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • alcohol, European Union, homebrew, policy, regulation, unrecorded alcohol