"After much debate over the issue, the new bill will regulate beer in the same way that spirits are controlled, banning advertising and the sale of beer at street-side kiosks.
Russia accepts that beer is alcohol
Previously, beer had been considered a foodstuff
Previously, beer had been considered a foodstuff, because it contained less than 10 per cent alcohol.
That meant the drink could be sold round the clock and advertised on Russia's metro system.
The move comes after beer became more popular in Russia, and international brewers cashed in on the nation's relatively lax drinking laws.
Last year the government tripled the tax on beer - which had previously been considered harmless, compared to vodka.
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But the new law will ban sales of alcohol on all forms of transport from 2013 and will bring in a ban on advertising on televiison and radio.
"The law brings some order into the sale of beer," said Vadim Drobiz, director of the Center for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Studies, told Bloomberg. "The restrictions will not reduce beer consumption."
Russians consumed about 12.5 liters of alcohol a person last year, with beer accounting for about 4 liters and vodka for more than 5 liters, he said."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...alcoholic.html
No doubt done to raise more tax...
Russia accepts that beer is alcohol
Previously, beer had been considered a foodstuff
Previously, beer had been considered a foodstuff, because it contained less than 10 per cent alcohol.
That meant the drink could be sold round the clock and advertised on Russia's metro system.
The move comes after beer became more popular in Russia, and international brewers cashed in on the nation's relatively lax drinking laws.
Last year the government tripled the tax on beer - which had previously been considered harmless, compared to vodka.
Related Articles
Chechnya moves to ban 'un-Islamic' energy drinks
19 Jul 2011
Russia averts 'major' terror act near Moscow
18 Jul 2011
Girls urged to strip for Putin
18 Jul 2011
But the new law will ban sales of alcohol on all forms of transport from 2013 and will bring in a ban on advertising on televiison and radio.
"The law brings some order into the sale of beer," said Vadim Drobiz, director of the Center for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Studies, told Bloomberg. "The restrictions will not reduce beer consumption."
Russians consumed about 12.5 liters of alcohol a person last year, with beer accounting for about 4 liters and vodka for more than 5 liters, he said."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...alcoholic.html
No doubt done to raise more tax...