Russia classifies beer as alcohol
Russians may be famed for their affinity with alcohol but, surprisingly, their beers haven’t been regarded as “alcoholic” – until now.
Alarmed by rising incidences of alcoholism and its impact on society authorities have embarked on measures against alcohol advertising and night time sales in a bid to lower consumption.
Surprisingly however despite beers sloshy qualities it has always been deemed a foodstuff by authorities, allowing brewers to circumvent tough advertising restrictions.
Though vodka remains the national tipple its relatively high price leads many to choose cheaper alternatives, notably beer which retails at around 50p per can.
The drink can even be purchased in bottles of up to one and a half litres in volume although this will be limited to 0.33 litres in future.
Russians are amongst the five heaviest drinkers in the world, with estimates suggesting the average citizen consumes 32 pints of pure alcohol per year – double the World Health Organisations recommended maximum.
Amongst the campaigns launched by authorities to tackle the problem is that of a bedraggled drunken squirrel, enlisted to highlight the perils of drink.