The government of the Sakha republic in Russia's Far East has drawn up plans for a dry law to fight widespread alcohol abuse.
Local authorities are proposing an outright ban on the production and sale of any alcohol in a drive to improve public health, RBK Daily reported Thursday.
Currently, the sale of alcohol in the Sakha republic is restricted to six hours a day, from 2 to 8 p.m.
Apart from the alcohol ban, the bill calls for a broad education campaign promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle, the newspaper reported.
Restrictions on the sale of alcohol introduced in the republic in the summer of 2012 resulted in a drop in official vodka sales by 8 percent, the report said.
According to the State Statistics Service, the republic's residents consume an average of 0.97 liters of vodka per month. That average, which includes children and the elderly, ranks Sakha residents among the heaviest drinkers in the country.
On average, Russians over 15 years of age consume about 15 liters of pure alcohol per year.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.