Informative Speech - Public Speaking
Sofia Viglaska
Thesis Development and Outline
● Simple/starting research thesis:
Importance of Systembolaget and its effects on our society.
● Original Thesis Statement without any editing:
Systembolaget should be implemented into other countries as it reduces alcohol-related medical and
social problems, combats bribery and corruption, and reduces climate impact throughout the value
chain. /emphasizes the UN goals.
● Developed thesis w/intro:
Alcohol consumption, one of the biggest problems of our society these days. The purchase of these often
impacts our human lives, our social relationships, bribery and corruption that tends to be a serious
factor for many, and our climate change which is significantly getting worse and worse as each day
approaches its last hour. In this speech we will examine the famous Systembolaget, which was one of
the first systems to notice these effects and limit them. It is not a system that wants to immediately
erase alcohol in our lives, nor is it a system that thinks that if we erase alcohol from our lives, every
aspect of our life will suddenly improve. It is a system where alcohol consumption is reduced by certain
guidelines that must be followed and tends to have many positive side effects, especially when it comes
to considering the UN goals.
I. Introduction
A. Attention grabber:
Statistics about this issue: alcohol consumption, (main focus Europe)
“Alcohol is still responsible for about 300 000 deaths in Europe, representing about 800
deaths per day that could have been totally avoided.”
➔ Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, WHO/Europe Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs. (Every
day, about 800 people in Europe die from alcohol-attributable causes (who.int))
B. Pointing out main effects of alcohol consumption.
Environmental Effects:
● contributes to greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions (eg. containers are not recycled and end up
in landfill)
● causes global food shortages
● damages natural habitats for wildlife
● is energy intensive
● causes pollution and contamination of local drinking sources
● water shortages: water is being exported in the form of wine
● emissions relating to production of alcohol cause carbon dioxide release (packaging)
statistics relating to these found on: People-Planet-or-Profit-alcohols-impact-on-a-sustainable-future-IAS.pdf
Social Effects:
● responsible for many alcohol-related accidents, violence and crime such as murder, suicide, domestic
violence, and sexual assault
● increases the risk of physical and mental health complications
● makes it difficult to maintain relationships and function at healthy levels
● leads to billions in lost productivity and healthcare costs
● conflict and a decline in work performance (decreases productivity+absence from work) which often
equals unemployment
● causes of divorces
● impacts children which are more likely to develop chronic stress
● drinking during pregnancy can cause serious harm to the unborn child
statistics relating to these found on: People-Planet-or-Profit-alcohols-impact-on-a-sustainable-future-IAS.pdf
Political Effects:
● harms human capital and drains societies’ resources,
● impedes economic growth
● leads to staggering costs due to lost productivity,
● harms economic activity
● contributes to significant proportion of youth not being education, employment or training
● fuels workplace harm through absenteeism and presenteeism, and
● fuels harm through workers’ rights abuses
statistics relating to these found on: Special Feature: How Big Alcohol Impedes Economic Growth and
Productivity around the World - Movendi International
C. Explain how alcoholism is harmful when considering an individual. (what are the side
effects of consuming it) major topic: HEALTH
When considering an individual and how alcohol consumption impacts us and our health, we must understand
that there are two types of health risks: short term and long term.
Short term health risks:
● injuries usually gained by motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns
● alcohol poisoning
● result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases
● miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women
Long term health risks:
● lead to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer
● high blood pressure, heart diseases, strokes, liver diseases, and digestive problems
● lack of good immune system resulting in high chances of getting sick
● learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance
● mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
● alcohol use disorders, and alcohol dependence
statistics relating to these found on: Drinking too much alcohol can harm your health. Learn the facts | CDC
D. Thesis Statement: (at the top of the document)
II. Systembolaget Template
A. What is Systembolaget + its aim?
Nationwide chain of stores that are run by the government, as well as the only retail store allowed to sell
alcoholic beverages to consumers and distribute alcoholic beverages in Sweden, is known as System bolaget.
This system gives a strong emphasis on how alcohol beverages should be sold responsibly while offering first
class service. It is a retail monopoly that is not driven by profit or sales but rather based on Sweden's restrictive
alcohol policy which aims to limit the harmful effects of alcohol.
B. Why did the government create Systembolaget? Brief history of Systembolaget and how
it came to be.
● -1400s, vodka reaches Sweden as an ingredient in gunpowder production however different areas of use are
discovered, the intoxicating effect. The Swedish population starts drinking rapidly and the liquor flood worries the
authorities,
● -1700s, King Gustav III tried to let the state take over all vodka production and sales. He is forced to give up after
a few years and home distillation becomes allowed again.
● -1800s, as industrialization approaches problems with drinking become worse as it is now possible to produce
better spirits at lower prices. Sweden's first popular movement emerges, the temperance movement, priests and
doctors are actively working to stop drinking.
● - patience runs out in the leading layer, the first predecessor of Systembolaget was founded in Falun in 1850. It is
the miners and owners of the mines who are the first ones to notice interruptions in work due to accidents caused
by alcohol and as this becomes an expensive item that they have to face, they start asking for permission to form a
liquor company with exclusive rights to distillery and the sale of spirits. The income should then be used to
improve the social conditions of the miners. The "Gothenburg system" was formed in 1865; it meant that the city
took over the taverns, where all spirits were sold. An age limit of 18 years was introduced and hot food and coffee
had to be served in order to drink on site.
● -in 1870 it was decided that all profits should go to the state.
● -In 1905 the state created a rule that to buy spirits at home, people had to go to special liquor stores, which to
some extent are under state control. However, there are private wine merchants, where you can buy wine,
champagne, punch, cognac, whiskey and other exclusive alcoholic beverages.
● -Dr. Bratt was convinced that the government must try to control and limit the supply of alcohol, and that private
profit interests must be completely eliminated, so in 1913, he founded the Stockholm System, and the following
year the counterbook was introduced, a booklet that set a maximum ceiling for purchases.
● - in 1919, the counter-book was introduced nationwide; strong beer could now only be bought with a prescription
at pharmacies.- Bratt began to buy up the private wine merchants and formed a special subsidiary, which
eventually had a monopoly on alcohol production in Sweden.-Despite the major change, the temperance
movement is pushing for more measures, the goal was to completely ban alcohol.
● -1922 there is a first Swedish referendum, an intense campaign is being waged and the vote is close. The "no" side
wins a narrow victory, about 51 percent against the 49 percent who want a ban.
● -Alcohol sales and the counter-book remains, becoming increasingly unpopular and undemocratic
● .- Social class and occupation determine how much you can buy out, and women have no privilege to do so.
● - in 1955 the counter-book was abolished, as a result all regional liquor stores were merged into a single
state-owned company, the nationwide Systembolaget.
(2018 Systembolaget Report has more info)
C. Rules of this system, how does it work?
● sales of alcohol is allowed to anyone aged over 18, but the legal min. age for buying alcohol at
Systembolaget is 20 and is enforced with ID checks
● promotions such as ‘buy one, get one free’ and money-off deals are prohibited
● alcohol marketing is heavily regulated, with in-store activities restricted to the promotion of brand
owners, not individual products or importers
● individual products cannot be ‘favored’. For example, beer cannot be refrigerated as Systembolaget
argues that if some beers were chilled, the brewery that produced them would have an ‘unfair
advantage’ over others
● limits on opening hours and the number of stores per capita
D. In what ways has this system helped our community? (list a few)
-Sweden's Systembolaget & its Impact on Alcohol Consumption (bnn.network)
Over the past two decades, Sweden has witnessed a gradual decrease in alcohol consumption. This decline is largely
attributed to the younger generation’s shift in drinking habits. Young Swedes are reportedly drinking less, mirroring a trend
observed in several other developed countries. The state monopoly’s stringent control over alcohol availability, pricing,
taxes, and marketing strategies has also played a significant role in this shift. It’s worth noting that the decrease in alcohol
consumption has occurred despite Systembolaget offering a wide variety of alcohol products catering to diverse consumer
preferences.
-Systembolaget's Responsibility Report 2017 (responsibilityreports.com)
Sweden showed a year-on-year reduction of just over
one percentage point to 9.0 liters per head of population, which is in line with the ongoing downward trend seen in the last
ten years
-more statistics on a different doc
Alcohol Index Total consumption
(liters per person)
2021 61.1 8.5
2020 63.4 8.7
2019 61.6 8.8
2018 61.4 9
2017 62 9
Alcohol index and total consumption decrease slightly over the years….
Info found on reports made by Systembolaget over the years…
E. Who or what is its main role module- embracing the UN goals, in Sweden
very popular.
-Briefly state how this system emphasizes the UN goals, and why it is important in Sweden.
❖ Systembolaget explained | Systembolaget (omsystembolaget.se)
III. Reinforcement of UN goals (top three) (information listed below is from the Systembolagets most
recent Report 2022)
A. Reduction of alcohol related medical + social issues -alcohol-related medical
and social problems What does it do to prevent this?
- SELLING IS NOT A DRIVING FORCE
What does responsible selling really mean? Reliable knowledge and good service, yes. Trying to get you to buy more than you intend, no! This precept is
ever-present for us and is noticeable in several ways:
1) Neither the company, its stores nor its procurement organization are measured by sales.
2) Business development, innovation and communication must be based on the needs of our customers, although we refrain from anything that risks increasing
alcohol consumption.
● combats bribery and corruption
● reduces climate impact throughout the value chain
-IMPORTANT SALES RULES We only sell to persons who have reached the age of 20. We won’t sell when the person making the purchase is noticeably under
the influence of alcohol or when we suspect alcohol is being bought for a minor
-STORE DESIGN It should be easy to quickly find what you are looking for when you shop with us. No internal walls forcing you to walk around the entire store.
No baskets of alcoholic beverages that need to be rounded up. We don’t place any alcohol by the checkout tills, and instead have a bin so you can easily discard
any items you don’t want. In our online store, there are as few steps as possible from shopping cart to order. No prompts like “Others have bought” or “Products
related to this item” appear. We don’t have any bestseller lists or advertising. No bulk offers, discounts or loyalty cards with bonus points. Non-alcoholic has a
natural place in our range and is selected to suit food and other occasions. Under the monopoly, alcoholic beverages aren’t available everywhere, at all times.
Changes to opening hours and number of stores are always weighed against the potential risk of increased consumption.
-AGE CHECKS Not selling to anyone under the age of 20 is one of our three sales rules. That’s why we ask for ID. These age checks constitute one of our
strategic key figures. We do a number of things to maintain a high level of security regarding age checks and other sales rules. • We enforce a safety margin
when checking ID: Store employees are instructed to ask anyone who looks like they could be under the age of 25 for ID, even though 20 is the legal limit for
shopping. • All new employees are trained in age checks and our other sales rules. Before every summer, special material is used in our stores with the purpose
of maintaining focus on the sales rules while many of our regular employees are on holiday. • The stores are subject to measurements and follow up with regard
to age checks. This constitutes one of the key figures for every store. • Responsible selling is a recurring topic at monthly meetings and morning meetings.
-NEW ALCOHOL STRATEGY FROM THE GOVERNMENT The UN’s global sustainability goals include Good health and well-being. The World Health
Organization (WHO) is working to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol. This is the starting point for the Government’s new ANDTS (alcohol, drugs,
doping, tobacco and gambling-related issues) strategy. It was completed in 2022 and applies to the years 2022–2025. Systembolaget is one of several operators
tasked with putting the strategy into effect as regards alcohol. We have a central role in two areas
B. Prevention of combat and bribery in the society -combats bribery and corruption
-FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, new wide-ranging sanctions were introduced
against Russia, in the form of restrictions on both trade and on specific individuals whose assets were frozen. We contacted our approximately 900 beverage
suppliers to remind them of their responsibilities linked to these sanctions, i.e. to ensure that the goods being sold were not subject to them. In a survey, the
suppliers were asked to provide information showing what they knew about any connection between the goods and the individuals on the sanctions list. The
survey had an 86 percent response rate. The responses we received gave us a picture of the efforts suppliers were taking to comply with the sanctions.
Systembolaget’s work surrounding the sanctions brought with it strengthened procedures regarding products from high-risk countries, of which Russia is one
example.
-ANTI-CORRUPTION WORK Systembolaget’s rules and processes for the procurement of alcoholic beverages
have been well established for a long time. We must, for example, treat all suppliers, producers and brands
equally. This can be seen in our purchase agreements, which are the same for everyone and cannot be
negotiated on an individual basis. Anti-corruption and how we are expected to behave in different situations is
a live topic at Systembolaget. Systembolaget’s internal Code of Conduct (known as the Compass) applies to all
employees and aims to provide guidance and security as regards behaving ethically and professionally.
Dialogue on ethical issues is carried out on an ongoing basis and employees are subject to continuous
training. During the past year, the members of Systembolaget’s Board have undergone training in this internal
Code of Conduct. Employees can always turn to our ethics advisers (anonymously for those who so wish).
These advisers can be contacted if an individual discovers or suspects someone else is breaching our internal
rules. The advisers can then take the matter further. Employees can also receive other support and guidance
regarding ethical dilemmas.
-DATA PROTECTION The digitization of trade, increased e-commerce and ever higher demands on data
collection put the focus on the importance of structured and systematic data protection work. We implemented the new European Standard Contractual Clauses
in 2022. We developed methodological support tools and strengthened training of key personnel regarding when data protection issues can arise, the things they
need to consider and how internal support is provided. A new area of consequence – the freedom and rights of the individual – was also introduced in our
Internal Rules for risk management, which is used in advance of decisions on important issues. This addition aims to ensure that attention is paid to the
individual’s perspective based on current data protection regulations during risk analyses. A number of activities to raise knowledge about data security were
carried out, including mandatory employee training on how to think and act in everyday situations. 5,076 people completed the training in 2022.
-PRODUCT INFORMATION Currently, alcoholic beverages do not need a list of ingredients or nutritional labeling, although this may change as a result of
upcoming EU regulations. In 2022, Systembolaget followed developments in this area with great interest. At the same time, the agricultural sector is being
reformed, and new rules in the area of wine are being included as one of many issues. One possible outcome of both of these EU initiatives could be a
requirement for a list of ingredients and nutritional labeling on alcoholic beverages. The EU’s Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan proposes new legislation which,
inter alia, deals with the design of food labeling. Systembolaget is involved in an initiative from the WHO that started in 2022 to investigate how text warnings
about the connection between alcohol and cancer are perceived.
-STRONG WHISTLEBLOWER CHANNEL The way in which we handle any whistleblower cases we receive has been adjusted to comply with new whistleblower
legislation. The biggest change is a strengthened independence in the way cases are handled. Two people with a duty of confidentiality decide what is to be
investigated and report directly to the Board’s Ethics and Sustainability Committee
C. Enhancing the importance of environment ensuring us with brighter
future (CLIMATE CHANGE DISCUSSION) -reduces climate impact
-DEVELOPMENT OF NEW METHODS In order to meet science based targets, we need to develop methods for measuring and monitoring our climate targets.
In 2022, we started work aimed at the areas of cultivation and beverage production, as we currently lack a method for monitoring these areas despite the fact
that they account for a large proportion of our climate emissions. Collection of climate data for cultivation and production began in 2022. The work will also
include the collection of data regarding beverage packaging, domestic and international freight transport and trips to and from stores by our customers. As a
first step, we will use standard data for various beverage categories and origins for those cases where primary data is unavailable • Increasing the amount of
packaging with a lower climate footprint. This is done by asking for more cans, cardboard packaging, PET bottles and lighter glass bottles (the weight limit is
420 grams). The aim is that packaging options other than glass should be available for different origins, beverage types and price categories. • Steering
customers towards beverages with a climate-smarter packaging label. Climate-smarter packaging was refined in 2022 to only apply to those types of packaging
with the absolute lowest emissions. This means that lighter glass bottles are no longer included. • Steering customers towards our most sustainable beverages
with a Sustainable Choice label, where one of the criteria concerns the climate footprint of the packaging. Lighter glass, returnable glass, cardboard, PET
plastic, boxes and cans are the types of packaging that qualify as criteria for Sustainable Choice. • Engaging in communication initiatives around packaging
and Sustainable Choice. • Promoting beverages with the Sustainable Choice label and climate-smarter packaging during online searches. • Training staff in the
impact of packaging.
-PACKAGING WITH LOWER CLIMATE FOOTPRINT In 2019 we set a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from beverage packaging by 10 percent by
2023 (relative to emissions in 2019). By then, we had already been working to reduce emissions from packaging for a number of years. Work to reduce emissions
is multi-faceted and involves:
-BEVERAGE SHIPMENTS For Systembolaget, beverage shipments fall into four areas: • Deliveries from foreign producers to Swedish suppliers – the suppliers
arrange and pay for shipment. • Shipments from a Swedish supplier to one of Systembolaget’s stores – the supplier arranges and pays for shipment which is
carried out in accordance with Systembolaget’s rules. • E-commerce-related deliveries from Systembolaget’s depots – Systembolaget arranges and pays for the
shipments that go from our depots to stores, agents or for home delivery. Our suppliers pay for shipment of orders from the Order Range. • The trips made by
customers to and from our stores and agents – these trips have a greater impact than other shipments.
-PROGRESS RELATED TO BEVERAGE SHIPMENTS In addition to our normal operations, a number of measures linked to the logistics area were taken in
2022. Operators in the logistics industry were asked about their fossil-free capacity. We can use this information to work out to what extent and in which
locations fossil-free transport can become relevant. This work has also looked at the possibility of paying a premium for fossil-free transport, as a way to
stimulate the strained logistics sector. We also participated in the working group for Nordic
Swan-eco labeled e-commerce shipments as part of our efforts to create more sustainable
logistics. We also stopped deliveries between stores for those customers who want a beverage
that is not available in their particular store – an essential priority for a lower climate footprint
linked to transport.
-CLIMATE WORK IN OUR INTERNAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS Work to improve energy
efficiency in our stores, depots, training centers and headquarters is ongoing. This involves both
reducing consumption itself and switching to climate-smarter energy sources. 90 stores switched
to LED lighting in 2022, meaning that by year-end a total of 291 stores have LED lighting. Work
began to install solar cells at our depot in Örebro; this will cover approximately half of energy
consumption at the depot when everything is complete in 2023. This means that two out of three
depots and our training center have solar cells. The share of green electricity in the business was 96.5 percent in 2022. We started collecting data from property
owners as regards heating sources for our stores. Property owners generally welcomed this, as it makes it easier for them to request data from heating plants.
Data collection will continue in 2023. Under Systembolaget’s new climate targets, total climate emissions from our internal business operations must be reduced
by 90 percent by no later than 2025. Plans for how to realize this increase in ambition will be adopted in 2023.
❖ Systembolaget Responsibility Report 2022 (omsystembolaget.se)
IV. Does this system really work?
A. What are the arguments against this system?
B. Why are they not valid, + support your answers with statistics.
❖ Estimating the public health impact of disbanding a government alcohol monopoly:
application of new methods to the case of Sweden | BMC Public Health | Full Text
(biomedcentral.com)
decided to delete this section!
VI . Call to Action - Adaptation of this system. + Conclusion
A. Who should adapt these?
All of Europe, as the number of alcohol consumption is critical in this area, plus Systembolaget has many other
positive effects too that I mentioned above.
According to the World Health Organization, the citizens of Czechia consumed the most alcohol per capita in 2019, with
individuals consuming about 14.26 liters of pure alcohol. Latvia and Moldova follow with 13.19 and 12.85, respectively. The
full list (see table below), includes 38 countries with pure alcohol consumption above 10 liters per year. The majority of
these countries are located in Europe. Slovakia has 11.1 liters of pure alcohol consumption, also quite a high number.
Compared to these countries Sweden is doing well, only 9 liters of pure alcohol consumption, this is definitely impacted by
more than one factor but in my opinion it wouldn't hurt to have this system introduced to countries with highest alcohol
consumption rates, plus as I already stated it has a lot of beneficial impacts which would have a positive impact on these
countries, e.g. combating bribery.
B. Any specific countries? Why?
- Europe, as it is most critical.
- Czechia ! highest alcohol consumption rate. (also Hungary)
(Here I will be mainly addressing Slovakia, as it is our home country…..)
C. Summarize key points
D. Reiterate the importance of addressing issues such as alcoholism, social
inequality…and why this is the System that can change the world forbetter.
Other sources used:
Systembolaget: Sweden’s state alcohol monopoly - Global Drinks Intel (drinks-intel.com)
