The number of alcoholics in Russia has dropped by a third in the course of the last seven years, the country’s Federal Consumer Protection Service, Rosnotrebnadzor, announced Friday.
The data reflects the number of people put under medical observation for alcohol abuse. The agency also reported an 11 percent decrease in the number of people registered as suffering from alcoholism at hospitals and health clinics, and a 25 percent decrease in mortality related to alcohol consumption.
The sale of alcohol per capita has also decreased by nine percent since 2009, the group reported, heralding the drop as the result of successful government policy. Current laws ban alcohol sales in children’s, educational, medical, sports and cultural facilities, and limits the hours when alcohol can be bought in shops.
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.
