Beer one step closer to be classified as alcohol
Russian authorities are discussing a bill that will put beer on the same footing as other alcoholic beverages.
The Russian State Duma yesterday passed an initial draft of the bill that could limit sales of beer stronger than 5 percent, TV 21 reports. It must pass two more readings and win Kremlin approval to become law.
If the bill is passed, it will be illegal to sell beer and other alcoholic drinks stronger than 5 percent from street kiosks, at markets and at train stations and airports.
The aim of the regulations is to reduce drinking among juveniles. Beer is very easily accessible in Russia and can be bought almost everywhere.
Experts believe the beer drinking boom in Russia came with the introduction of TV commercials in the early 1990’ies. Only in 2005 Russian authorities banned showing beer commercials before 22pm.
Russia has lately been taking several steps to fight alcoholism. From January 1 2010 federal regulations on the price of vodka were introduced, fixing the price of the cheapest bottle of vodka on sale to 89 rubles (app €2) for a half-litre bottle. Over the next three years the government is considering doubling the minimum price of vodka.
In July this year President Dmitry Medvedev signed a bill enforcing a zero alcohol limit for drivers, and punishment for drunk driving has been enforced.
Both Murmansk and Arkhangelsk have introduced a ban on nightly retail sale of alcoholic beverages. Licensed shops in Murmansk can only sell alcoholic beverages stronger than 15 percent ten hours per day, from 11 in the morning to nine in the evening.
