An unusual opportunity to compare drinking habits in 2 countries in a technically satisfying way was offered by 2 surveys, 1 conducted in Scotland [UK] in 1972 (by Dight) and the other in Finland in 1976. Both Scotland and Finland represent ambivalent sociocultural attitudes toward alcohol, and the total alcohol consumption per capita is approximately the same in both countries. In Finland the distribution of alcoholic beverages is controlled by a state alcohol monopoly whereas in Scotland the distribution is in private hands and controlled by a very different system. The dominant beverage type in Scotland is beer in spite of the famous whiskey tradition, while the Finns prefer distilled spirits to other beverages. Thus, there exist notable similarities as well as interesting dissimilarities in the general framework of drinking habits in these 2 countries. In this paper only the shares of drinkers and abstainers in demographic groups, the number of problem drinkers, as well as some results concerning the attributes of drinking occasions are considered. The results reveal interesting differences in the sociocultural sphere of drinking. The problem to be further discussed in whether these differences arise from the deeply rooted traditions or from the influences of control systems. These 2 are complexly connected.