In Russia, bans on strong alcohol sales after 20:00 and before 11:00 are discussed based on findings from the 2022 study by the Ministry of Health, as reported by DEA News. The health ministry document notes that retail alcohol sales per capita last year amounted to 6.44 liters of ethanol, compared with the planned target of 6.22 liters. It states that surpassing these planned indicators for alcohol and cigarette sales per person presents new hurdles for campaigns promoting a healthy lifestyle and for broader anti-alcohol and anti-tobacco measures.
In addition to shortening allowed sale hours for alcoholic products, the Ministry of Health is considering raising the minimum drinking age for beverages with strong alcohol content from 18 to 21. There is also discussion about prohibiting the display of trademarks for hard liquor and spirits in music videos, serials, films, video blogs, podcasts, and other new audio-visual formats.
Other initiatives under consideration include empowering municipalities to impose further restrictions on alcohol sales during weekends and holidays.
Alcohol consumption in Russia
According to Rosalkogolregulirovanie, total retail alcohol sales, including beer and beer beverages, for the full year 2022 rose by about 1 percent year over year to 1 billion decaliters. Data for the first quarter of 2023 show that alcohol production in Russia, excluding beer, cider, and beer drinks, increased by 0.1 percent compared with 2022, reaching 38.5 million decaliters. Vodka production dropped 8.5 percent to 15.9 million decaliters, while the production of spirits stronger than 25 percent volume grew by 24.8 percent to 3,049 million decaliters. The Ministry of Health notes that while overall consumption has declined by 40 percent since 2008, there was a 7 percent rise in alcohol dependence syndrome in rural areas by late 2022 compared with 2021.
Under current law, alcohol can be bought in stores from 08:00 to 23:00, though regions may impose stricter rules. In Tyumen region, alcoholic beverages are prohibited from 21:00 to 08:00; in Altai Territory, from 21:00 to 09:00; in Primorye, from 22:00 to 10:00, with restrictions on certain holidays such as June 1, Children’s Day, and Knowledge Day. St. Petersburg enforces a sale ban from 22:00 to 11:00.
This marks the first time at the federal level that proposals have not aimed to shorten the sales window or raise the purchase age for alcoholic beverages. Still, in a January 2022 interview with RBC, State Duma deputies observed that Russia already has laws governing alcohol sales on selected days and a preexisting ban on morning and evening circulation that remains effective. In other words, the current framework operates with these constraints in place.
The ministry previously floated raising the minimum age for hard alcohol from 18 to 21, but the idea drew criticism from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Development in 2019. Officials argued the measure could be ineffective and might significantly hinder store operations, potentially boosting the shadow market for spirits. The Retail Companies Association also warned about the risk of rising counterfeit alcohol consumption.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess the balance between public health goals and market impact, weighing the benefits of tighter controls against economic and social considerations.” (Source attribution: Ministry of Health, Roskach)