Russian President Dmitry Medvedvev on Friday gave his officials three months to enact tough restrictions to try and curb alcohol abuse.
Last month, Medvedev described alcoholism as a "national disaster", which undermines public health and hampers the economy, urging the public to unite in fighting against it.
Russia has one of the world's highest per-capita rates of alcohol consumption, linked to life expectancy. According to official figures, just 40 percent of this year's school leavers will reach the pension age of 55 for women and 60 for men.
Earlier attempts to introduce curbs on alcohol, including a major campaign by the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev launched in 1985, brought little practical results and undermined government popularity.
On Friday, Medvedev ordered Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to introduce new restrictions on advertising alcoholic drinks and to allow local authorities to ban the sale of alcohol in specific locations and at specific times of the day. Medvedev also proposed replacing fines with criminal punishment for those who sell spirits and beer to those under 18, who are banned from buying alcohol.
The proposals, which echo similar measures introduced during Gorbachev's campaign, will be unpopular in a country where easy access to alcohol and public drinking in parks and streets are seen as traditional rights.
Medvedev also ordered the government to initiate new measures limiting the illegal production and sale of spirits.
Russian officials say about 30-50 percent of Russia's vodka market is illegal and untaxed. Many officials say a state vodka monopoly would bring order to the market and make it easier to control.
The proposed measures will hardly affect importers of alcohol, whose share of the local market does not exceed three percent. Most imported wines and spirits are sold in legal shops, which will not be affected.
Reuters. Sep 11, 2009.
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4 comments:
Hello Mr. Fu,
I think I have a big problem! When I start to write this comment, I discover that so many words I don't know. Oh! I can't write what I want to say. Sorry for that.....
Mr. Fu, have you ever get dunk? Do you know what it feels? Okay, Let's talk about this post. I like to drink, honestly. But I think, just a little is okay in each time. The other thing I want to say is that, in Russia there is very cold. Just like the north of China. They drink every day to warm their body. It is their usual practice.
But I also think that it was right for don’t selling this to who is under 18. It is because they are easily to persuade by the bad people. (But not easy for the good people!)
This is the FIRST time I write in here! Thank you!
Herman Li(6A2A)=]
It's a good idea to restrict alcoholic drinks.alcoholism not only affect the econmic downturn, but only increase domestic violence.They will fight their family , it is because they can't control themselves when they are drunk.Besides, they lose their job,are't able to work as they addicted to alcoholic drink.
And what the government replaces the fines with imperisonment is not a good policy, it is not efficient in order to prevent under 18 from buy alcoholic drinks.
The measures not only good for their health, but also help their study.If they are drunk, they can't pay attention to study, and affect their academic result.
finally, if the government establish this restriction, it can help them to decrease the alcohol consumption, yet it destroies the tradional right--public drinking in parks and streets is popular in some country.
Herman, I have never been drunk before. I guess the feeling isn't good at all. Your problem is exactly outhe reason why I want you all to use English every day. Once you have started, it'll be easier for you to express yourself in English.
Ricky, it is always difficult to strike a balance between regulations and freedom. However, it is always not a bad idea to restrict the amount of alcohol citizens consume.
Hello Mr. Fu,
It is good to curb alcohol abuse by enacting tough restriction. I think alcohol can harm public health, causing them having health problems. Also, it is right to ban selling spirits and beer to those under 18 years old. In conclusion, by enacting this can make the economy develop faster.
Fong Ho Ying(15)
Form 6 AB1
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