Sales of alcohol and cigarettes in Russia did not decline through the end of 2022, indicating that the federal project “Public health promotion” did not meet its stated targets. This assessment appears in a report cited by RBC based on data from the Accounts Chamber.
The Accounts Chamber’s conclusion notes that the updated report on program implementation did not reveal any deviations from the plan, yet two indicators—alcohol and tobacco sales—fell short of their planned values even though budget allocations for them were fully executed. In short, progress in curbing alcohol and cigarette sales did not materialize as anticipated.
According to the Ministry of Health, the intended reductions could not be achieved because the public had not been adequately informed about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. In addition, tax measures designed to reduce the accessibility of these goods were not implemented. Regarding alcohol, there was no prohibition on advertising strong alcoholic beverages.
Analysts note that sales of spirits with an alcohol content above 25 degrees, including vodka, cognac, and other strong drinks, increased over the past year. At the same time, several experts warn that illegal circulation still accounts for about a quarter of the market. They argue that the proposed restrictions from the Ministry of Health could inadvertently bolster the share of cheap, legally ambiguous substitutes that operate outside formal channels.
A proposal from the former Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation outlined a bill to block pre-trial sites that offer tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The plan specifically targeted distance selling of electronic cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems, setting a maximum nicotine concentration in liquids or solutions at 20 mg per milliliter. Such a measure aims to curb online sales while balancing consumer access and enforcement considerations. [citation]
In this landscape, observers emphasize that the effectiveness of public health initiatives depends on coordinated communication strategies, robust tax and advertising policies, and the capacity to curb illicit trade without stifling legitimate commerce. The debate underscores the challenge of translating political intentions into measurable health outcomes, particularly in markets where consumer habits, price signals, and regulatory oversight interact in complex ways.
Overall, the record suggests that while funds were allocated and program frameworks existed, actual behavior change in the sales of alcohol and tobacco remained elusive. The ongoing discussion points to the need for a multifaceted approach that pairs clear public information campaigns with targeted regulation, enforcement, and monitoring to achieve meaningful reductions in the consumption of tobacco products and strong alcoholic beverages. The dynamics revealed by the Accounts Chamber’s review emphasize that policy design must align with practical implementation and market realities to yield the intended public health benefits.