Russia: plans to ban alcohol price promotions to tackle alcoholism
The consumer rights protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has proposed scrapping special offers on alcohol sales in Russian supermarkets. According to the watchdog, they encourage people to buy more liquor.
Discount coupons should be treated as any other advertising campaign and thus should be prohibited,” said the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova, according to Russia Today.
According to the author of a bill, Russian deputy Vladimir Sysoev, discounts encourage people to use more alcohol. Another official, Sultan Khamzaev, added internet alcohol sales should be banned as well.
Russia has controlled vodka prices since 2009. The law doesn’t allow sales of vodka cheaper than 190 rubles (about $3.50) per half liter bottle. The Russian Finance Ministry has been fighting to raise the prices to collect more taxes, while the Economic Development Ministry has been for cutting the cost to tackle illegal alcohol.
