Author Description

Echoing the US battles over tobacco, this volume presents a case study of the clash between the European Union's free market and the public health and social policy-oriented alcohol control systems of three Nordic countries. Holder (Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, CA) and specialists from these countries analyze patterns of alcohol consumption, the health and economic issues, changing attitudes, and national systems for alcohol production and distribution. The concluding chapter considers trends such as "alcopops," flavored drinks containing alcohol. Marketing of such beverages aimed at young people presents a further challenge and opportunity for the Nordic countries to influence the alcohol control policy of the other EU member nations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.