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Russia: Because beer in Russia is considered a "light alcoholic" drink it is sold alongside milk and orange juice, and anybody may buy or sell it - even teenagers. Russian legislators are considering changing that. At the urging of the City of Moscow, the legislature is considering labeling beer a full-fledged alcoholic beverage, a change that would restrict where beer can be sold and how it can be advertised. Most dramatically, to buy a beer you would have to be at least 18 years old Real beer wrote on June 24. "Young people think beer is not alcohol, so they've been drinking it all their lives," said Vladislav Kiselyev, a spokesman for the Moscow City Duma, which forwarded to parliament a bill to declare beer alcoholic. "You see children drinking beer on their way to school."

The law would represent a full-scale reversal of the country's attitude to beer. Nine years ago, when a law was drafted to regulate the advertising and sale of alcohol, beer was intentionally left off the list of alcoholic beverages. Lobbyists then argued that regulation could kill Russia's fledgling brewing industry, and that vodka was the real alcoholic demon.

Since then, beer sales have surged. From 2000 to 2003, beer consumption nearly doubled, and in 2002 beer sales in 2002 eclipsed those of vodka for the first time.

Beer is bad for you? Kiril Pavlov seemed a little dazed by the idea. He shook his head vigorously. "Beer is not bad for your health," the 19-year-old said firmly, setting a bottle of the stuff on the sidewalk so as to focus on the debate. "Scientists proved that beer is very good for your health. I saw it on television." As he spoke, some of the teenagers sitting around him snickered. But others nodded seriously. In Russia, the point Mr. Pavlov was mulling is controversial.

Legislators in the Duma, or parliament, are stuck on the same issue: In a country that has long battled addictions to stronger stuff - namely, vodka - is beer worth worrying about? Under Russian law, beer - even a brand containing 9 percent or 10 percent alcohol - is considered a "light alcoholic" drink. Anyone of any age can buy it, and nearly anyone can sell it. Advertisements are unrestricted, often promoting the suggestion that beer will make you healthier or even smarter.

At the urging of the City of Moscow, the Duma is considering labeling beer a full-fledged alcoholic beverage, a change that would restrict where beer can be sold and how it can be advertised. Most dramatically, to buy a beer you would have to be at least 18 years old.

"Young people think beer is not alcohol, so they've been drinking it all their lives," said Vladislav Kiselyev, a spokesman for the Moscow City Duma, which forwarded to parliament a bill to declare beer alcoholic. "You see children drinking beer on their way to school."

He said the city has no statistics on how much beer is being consumed by youths but added that doctors say "beer alcoholism" among children is a major health problem. A clinic for child alcoholics recently opened in Moscow, the first to target 8- to 13-year-olds.

The law would represent a full-scale reversal of the country's attitude to beer, which heavier drinkers regard as something you have with breakfast.


02 July, 2004