The European Court of Justice ruled late last week that Sweden could keep its state monopoly on retail sales of alcohol …

Date: 30/10/1997

...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.