It is the second time the government has upped the tax since September 2007, when health officials said alcohol had become the most common cause of death in Finland.

Health statistics showed binge drinking increased markedly after the Nordic country slashed the alcohol tax by more than 40 percent in 2005 to discourage "booze cruises"—heavy consumption on ferries, where alcohol is tax free, to neighboring Russia and Estonia.

The Finance Ministry said the measure announced Tuesday will take effect in January and means retail prices of liquor, wine and beer will increase by an average of 4.5 percent.
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