Only 17 percent of Russians drink alcohol once or twice a week, down from 23 percent in 2002, according to a new nationwide poll by the Public Opinion Foundation.
About 27 percent don’t drink at all, up from 21 percent in 2002 but down from a record 32 percent in 2004, said the study, which polled 2,000 people and did not specify the margin of error.
Nineteen percent drink two or three times a month, and 36 percent several times a year. Vodka, wine and beer are the most popular alcoholic choices, each favored by 30 percent of the people who acknowledged drinking at least occasionally. Sixty-eight percent support a ban on nighttime sales of strong alcohol, and 12 percent oppose it.
