From July 1 the minimum retail price of half a liter of vodka will be 125 rubles (€ 3). Also other types of hard liquor, like Russian brandy, will be more expensive after July 1, Kommersant writes.
Alcoholism remains a serious problem in Russia. On average every Russian consumes about 18 liters of pure alcohol a year. Statistics from 2009 show that the Russian population shrinks with 800.000 every year because of alcohol abuse.
In the last years Russia has taken many steps to fight alcoholism. In 2010 the Russian Government decided to gradually increase the price of vodka from 89 rubles to 200 rubles over the next three years. Several regions, including Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, have banned night-time sales of hard liquor. There is a complete ban on TV advertising of vodka and wine, and beer advertising is strictly limited.
