2 Jan 2013

Beer sales now restricted in Russia

6:59 am on 2 January 2013

Sales of beer are now restricted in Russia in an attempt to curb alcoholism.

Interfax news agency reported a new law came into effect on Tuesday which restricts the amount of beer stalls and kiosks can sell. Sales are also banned between the hours of 11pm - 8am.

Taxes on beer rose by 20% in 2012 and are to rise by a further 25% in 2013 and 20% in 2014.

Russia has also raised the minimum price for vodka and banned advertising of drinks in the media, including on the internet.

Russia has one of the world's highest alcohol consumption rates according to the World Health Organisation which said that every fifth death among men in 2011 and 6% of deaths among women there were attributable to alcohol abuse.

Beer was reclassified as liquor under amendments to alcohol laws signed by former President Dmitry Medvedev in July 2011.