Sale of alcohol and cigarettes declined in Denmark in 2023. New figures from Statistics Denmark show that Danish shops experienced a decrease in the sales of both alcohol and cigarettes in 2023 compared to the previous year. In total, 44.4 million liters of pure alcohol were sold, and cigarette sales amounted to 3852 pieces. This means that on average, each person over 18 years old bought 11.9 units of alcohol per week and 804 cigarettes annually. Compared to 2022, there is a decrease, as the sales of cigarettes per adult were 854 pieces the year before. Alcohol consumption also decreased, with spirits, beer, and wine sales reduced by 7.8 percent, 5.3 percent, and 0.9 percent respectively. The sale of smoking tobacco, which includes loose tobacco for pipes and hand-rolled cigarettes, also decreased by 58 tons.
Despite the overall decrease in consumption, the average alcohol purchase still exceeds the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority. The Authority recommends that adults over 18 years old should consume at most ten units of alcohol per week and at most four units in one day.