Translated material
Russians and alcohol
In society
Russians and alcohol
November 19, 2012 Igor Kharichev
Our native government is concerned with an archive task - a reduction in alcohol consumption by Russians. If in 2011 the consumption of pure alcohol per capita in Russia amounted to 15.75 liters, then by 2020 it should be halved and not exceeding eight liters per person. Is it possible to solve this problem? Easily. According to those who are developing a state alcoholic policy, the most effective measure of the fight against drunkenness is an increase in alcohol prices. Now the minimum price for a bottle of the most popular drink is 125 rubles in our country for 0.5 liters, and in stores it is sold 200-300 rubles. In the next three years, the government planned an increase in excise taxes on alcohol. So, in 2013, the excise tax is planned to be lifted from the current 300 to 400 rubles per liter, in 2014-up to 500 rubles, in 2015-up to 600 rubles. And by 2020, the retail price of vodka in Russia can increase on average to a thousand rubles per half liter. Cognac, whiskey, wine rise in price no less.
The desire of the Russian leadership to fight drunkenness is commendable. At the same time, planned methods, as always, are limited to a sharp increase in prices. It seems that it is exorbitantly to increase prices, tariffs and the value of fines is all that our power can. In this regard, I do not want to discuss the fact that in such a struggle against alcoholism we will get the result already known in Soviet times: they will begin to drink all muck and poison. Perhaps, along the way, the authorities will already tighten the laws in the usual way-for example, they will begin to plant for 2-3 years for the appearance on the street intoxicated. Which also will not give a result: the Russians drank and drink. Alas.
It would be nice for the Russian authorities to understand the causes of drunkenness. And they are: the complete absence of prospects in medium, small cities, in rural areas, the complete insecurity of citizens before the arbitrariness of officials, chiefs, law enforcement officers, difficult or uncomfortable living conditions, almost complete impossibility for a person to realize their potential. And what to do people who feel their helplessness, uselessness? Verily sitting every evening at the TV, bread of low -grade brew of federal channels? Or is it joyful to go to meetings of the local branch of United Russia?
In order to truly fight drunkenness, you need to change living conditions. It is necessary to ensure the emergence of an independent judicial system, which will cease to cover the deeds of local chiefs and law enforcement officers, will allow people to really defend their interests, it is necessary to root budget federalism and ensure a reliable tax base to local government, it is necessary to start a bet on the initiative of citizens in public life. And just all this does not want to do. She wants to not drink, and did not scold the power, and they did not show any initiative, and did not ask for anything, and voted as it should. But if, in the current life, Russians stop drinking, as if they would arrange a rebellion. Because they can’t stand it anymore. Because the discontent will come to the surface, which now the vodka is jamming. It is much easier to transform the whole country into a large gulag. In order for everyone to rise at the same time, they do exercises, then go to work - each for the one they will determine - and in the evening there will be political classes in the EP cells or self -training according to the latest performances by V.V. Putin. Then - a healthy sleep to a morning wake. All according to the schedule established from above. And then no drunkenness, no participation in opposition processions and rallies. Complete quiet grace. True, Vertukhaev will need a lot, but they have always been enough in Rus'.