The European Court of Justice

Date: 30/10/1997

ruled late last week that Sweden could keep its state monopoly on retail sales of alcohol as part of its policy to curb alcohol consumption. The Court decided that the Swedes were pursuing a valid public health aim and that their criteria and methods were neither discriminatory nor liable to put imported products at a disadvantage. However, the judges said a Swedish law which allows only certified traders to import alcohol was a barrier to free trade.