Russians to pay for alcoholism
RUSSIAN President Dmitry Medvedev put himself on a collision course with his citizens last night by setting a minimum price on a bottle of vodka.
His bid to combat alcoholism means the price of the cheapest half-litre bottle of Russia’s national drink has almost doubled to 89 roubles – £1.82.
Mr Medvedev has branded figures showing the average Russian drinks 38 pints of pure alcohol each year a “national disgrace”.
Seasonal holidays from January 1 to 11 are marked by bumper alcohol consumption.
In 1985, curbs on production and public consumption dealt a blow to the popularity of Mikhail Gorbachev.