The Public Chamber of Russia is proposing a return to Soviet-era regulations for alcohol sales, specifically limiting trading hours to 11 AM to 7 PM. This initiative sparks debate among experts, who question whether it will genuinely curb consumption or merely foster the growth of an illicit market. It`s worth noting that several Russian regions already enforce strict measures, with some restricting alcohol sales to as little as two hours per day.
The Public Chamber officially suggested reintroducing the Soviet approach to alcohol sales, which dictated hours from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Currently, most regions in Russia permit alcohol purchases from 8 AM until 11 PM. The Chamber argues that existing restrictions are insufficient.
The new concept for selling alcoholic beverages envisions a gradual shift towards the Soviet-era schedule, potentially by reducing the current sales window by one hour each year. This measure, according to its proponents, aims to “increase the expected life expectancy of the working-age population.” Sergey Rybalchenko, Chairman of the Public Chamber`s Demography Commission and the author of this proposal, commented:
Sergey RybalchenkoChairman of the Public Chamber`s Demography Commission
“There is the experience of the Soviet period; it was precisely then that record indicators of mortality reduction were achieved, primarily among the male population, and also an increase in birth rates. For the first time in many years, an increase in life expectancy, especially for working-age men, was recorded.”
However, experts believe that the Public Chamber`s interpretation of the Soviet experience in combating alcoholism is flawed, leading to overly optimistic expectations. Denis Puzyrev, an alcohol market expert and author of the Telegram channel “The Drunken Master,” elaborated:
Denis PuzyrevAlcohol Market Expert, Author of `The Drunken Master` Telegram Channel
“If such a proposal were implemented, its authors should vividly recall what transpired in the Soviet Union when the time, location, and quantity of alcohol sales were restricted. I distinctly remember immense queues, storming of wine departments, and stampedes. Despite these measures, alcohol consumption levels in the late Soviet Union were actually higher. When the Soviet leadership introduced these restrictions, the trend was upward – per capita alcohol consumption was, in fact, rising. Currently, the trend is downward, so imposing additional restrictions on a declining trend is utterly perplexing.”
Since March 1st, authorities in several Russian regions have imposed their own alcohol sales restrictions. While night-time bans were already in place nationwide, regions gained the autonomy to tighten regulations as they saw fit in early spring. Over 60 regions made minor adjustments, but five introduced genuinely stringent measures. For instance, in the Tula region, alcohol is sold from 2 PM to 10 PM; in Yakutia, from 2 PM to 8 PM; in Tuva, from 11 AM to 3 PM; and in Chechnya, from 8 AM to 10 AM. The Vologda region stands out as the only non-Muslim region where alcohol can be purchased for only two hours daily. Vladimir Peshkov, a journalist from Vologda, shared insights into the current situation there:
Vladimir PeshkovJournalist
“Frankly, all such restrictions lead to nothing but people simply adapting to them. Alcohol supermarkets in Vologda are indeed closing, and it`s noticeable. Some have completely re-purposed as food stores. Most people react to alcohol sales restrictions with irony – at least that`s what I observe. Those who need it will buy either from 12 to 2 PM or somewhere else. Among my friends, a new habit has emerged: looking at the clock and engaging in very strict time management. Businesses simply adapt: some close down, others open up.”
Within the expert community, there are calls for a broader perspective on the situation in the Vologda region. Independent alcohol expert Andrey Tkemaladze commented:
Andrey TkemaladzeIndependent Alcohol Expert
“I believe the regions surrounding Vologda were quite pleased with this decision. We constantly see statistics for Vologda, but no one publishes statistics for the neighboring regions. I am confident that both alcohol sales and alcohol consumption have increased severalfold there, for some reason. Such problems cannot be solved with prohibitive methods.”
Medical professionals also expressed skepticism about the new idea. According to them, a reduced alcohol sales schedule will not provide a systemic solution. Psychiatrist-narcologist Alexey Kazantsev commented:
Alexey KazantsevPsychiatrist-Narcologist
“I am more in favor of social advertising, of showing on television those terrible scenes that happen to a person with addiction: alcoholic delirium, consequences for memory, impaired thinking, degradation. This is what needs to be shown more. Restrictions will also play a role, but for addicts, they will lead to the consumption of counterfeit products and illicit sales. Remember the times when taxi drivers, so to speak, drove around with alcohol in their trunks. We`ve already been through all this.”
Yaroslav Nilov, head of the State Duma`s labor committee, went even further in an interview with RT, suggesting a ban on advertising non-alcoholic beer and prohibiting its sale at gas stations. This is due to the fact that, according to GOST (state standard), non-alcoholic beer can contain up to 0.5% alcohol. However, it`s worth noting that kefir contains 0.7% and kvass contains 1.2%.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth