A State Duma deputy who leads the Sober Russia initiative, Sultan Khamzaev, sent a formal appeal to the head of the Health Ministry outlining a proposal to restrict alcohol retail by removing the online presence of these businesses. The message explains that websites and mobile apps used by alcohol sellers can reveal product specifics and publish consumer reviews, both of which can function as advertising and influence purchasing decisions. The deputy argues that such digital channels make it easier for consumers to compare products and read testimonials, potentially driving heightened alcohol consumption and making regulation more challenging in a digital marketplace.
The appeal requests support for a legislative step to ban the operation of websites and mobile applications by commercial outlets focused on the sale of alcoholic beverages for retail purposes. The author offers personal involvement in drafting the proposed legislation and asks for alignment on the policy direction. The text stresses that while many platforms require age verification, such checks are often superficial; a person who is not underage can falsely confirm their age and access a broad range of alcoholic products through these sources.
The concern raised centers on the possibility that age gates may be circumvented and that user-generated content, including product descriptions and reviews, can subtly promote alcohol products. This dynamic, the letter suggests, can undermine consumer protection efforts and complicate compliance for retailers who operate online storefronts and mobile apps, especially given the growing role of digital channels in everyday shopping. The discussion invites careful consideration of how to balance consumer access with safeguards that limit underage exposure and misleading marketing in digital environments.
Additionally, Vyacheslav Volodin, a former State Duma Speaker, has publicly explored the idea of restricting alcohol sales during late-night hours in liquor outlets, highlighting ongoing political interest in how and when alcohol is sold. The discourse reflects a broader effort to correlate public health concerns with regulatory measures affecting both physical locations and digital storefronts involved in alcohol distribution.