| Abstract: |
A late-night vodka in Moscow might be a Russian tradition, but not for much longer if one group gets its way. A group of activists known as Sober Russia are fighting this national habit, which, although on the decline, continues to put thousands of people in hospital. Russian law prohibits selling alcoholic beverages during the night, with those caught buying and selling booze after hours facing fines of up to €1,500 euros. It is one of several state measures to curb alcohol consumption in Russia, with a recent report by the World Health Organisation showing it fell 43% between 2003 to 2016.However, some outlets are ignoring the law. Sultan Hamzaev, leader of the Sober Russia movement, told Euronews it’s not just late-night sales that put people at risk but a growing counterfeit industry.“In addition to the legal part of the market, there is a counterfeit part, which also needs to be fought,” he said. |
