As the economic crisis sweeps through Russia, a dangerous trend is emerging in this heavy-drinking country: the rise in consumption of potentially lethal moonshine, medical alcohol or even cleaning products.
Layoffs, wage cuts and price increases are combining to worsen the problem of alcoholism, which has long been a major public health issue, by increasing the mix of dangerous products in the market. Those who can no longer afford store-bought drinks are turning to "under the counter" alternatives that can cause serious damage, even death.
Alexander Polikarpov, the head doctor of the Alcospas chain of alcohol rehab clinics in Moscow, says he has noticed a "wave" of complications in patients, such as delirium tremens — a symptom of withdrawal also known as "the shakes" — and epilepsy.
Sales of beer, Russia's most popular alcoholic drink, were down 10.5 percent year-on-year by volume in January, according to figures from Nielsen Russia. The beer market remained stable by value because prices rose to a new high, Nielsen spokesperson Ekaterina Lukina told The Associated Press.
Vodka, which is more popular among older drinkers, continued a long-term decline in sales, which fell 17.6 percent by volume and two percent by value. That drop is mainly due to government actions to combat alcoholism by instituting a legal minimum price for vodka. While that minimum of 185 rubles ($2.96) for a half-liter bottle is low by European standards, it is costly for low-earning Russians in the poverty-stricken provincial towns where moonshine is most popular.
Earlier this year, President Vladimir Putin ordered the minimum price cut by 16 percent. While the move was celebrated in Russian media, it did not fully reverse last year's 29 percent rise, never mind similar hikes in previous years.
That well-intentioned push to fight alcoholism has swelled the black market, Nielsen analyst Marina Lapenkova says.
"Today the share of illegal vodka market adds up to half of the total market," she said in e-mailed comments, adding that recession will just exacerbate the problem.
Vodka...continued a long-term decline in sales....That drop is mainly due to government actions to combat alcoholism by instituting a legal minimum price for vodka....
That well-intentioned push to fight alcoholism has swelled the black market, Nielsen analyst Marina Lapenkova says.
Impossible. This story is clearly a lie invented by foreigners who hate Russia.
"The biggest problems that we’re facing right now have to do with George Bush trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch and not go through Congress at all."
