The price of vodka
January 1, 2010
The average Russian drinks 14 liters of pure alcohol annually. Hundreds of thousands of Russians die from alcohol consumption every year. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has launched a campaign to fight alcohol abuse in his country, the most recent example of which is a new minimum price for vodka.
Beginning on Friday, a half-liter bottle of vodka must, by law, cost at least 89 rubles (two euros; $3). The minimum price is to be reviewed each year by a government commission and is meant to discourage over-drinking.
But doctors worry that the minimum price will instead lead to increased numbers drinking industrial alcohol, antifreeze or other homemade spirits, all dangerous alternatives.
Medvedev also turned his attention to the dangers of alcohol during his live end-of-year interview with state television, calling for a return to the country's former zero tolerance toward drunk driving.
"One who drinks, loses his head. And we know people drink here! First one shot—that's allowed. Then two, three and 'ok, let's go.' I think we should ban getting behind the wheel in an intoxicated state," Medvedev said.
He announced that he will introduce legislation bring back the zero tolerance policy, which was lifted in July 2008.
hf/AFP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold