Gennady Onishchenko, the former chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation and a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, urged a rethink of the traditional graduation ritual for school leavers. The discussion was reported by a Moscow radio program.
According to the expert, most risky moments tend to unfold in dining venues, particularly restaurants. He argued that these places rely heavily on the sale of alcoholic beverages for their revenue, which influences the environment around graduation celebrations.
He pointed out that graduates are typically young adults with completed secondary education and no formal alcohol restrictions. Onishchenko underscored that the presence of minors in such settings does not automatically limit their access to drinks when the event is viewed through the lens of adult attendance.
Onishchenko suggested that graduates could choose alcohol-free celebrations by replacing a night out with a more social, community-oriented activity. He recommended options like visits to cultural venues or recreational parks as viable alternatives that still celebrate achievement.
According to the expert, the only drawback he could identify with this shift is the potential impact on traditional dress codes. He noted that many graduates already arrive in casual attire such as ordinary shirts and trousers, rather than formal gowns or suits, which changes the traditional visual moment of the rite.
Analysts have also explored how much families typically allocate for graduation festivities, a topic that remains debated as planning approaches evolve in the contemporary school year.
— End of report from multiple sources and experts in public health and education. [citation]