Dramatic Problems and Weak Policy

Abstract

■ AIMS This article provides an overview of the major patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g., how much, how, and what Russians drink) and alcohol-related harm (e.g., alcohol-related mortality, injury, and violence) in Russia during the last two decades. We also discuss the main contributors to changes in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm and current policy initiatives. ■ DATA Our review is based on published studies and on routing data obtained from multiple sources, including the Russian Monitoring of the Economic Situation and the Health of the Population, the State Committee for Statistics of the Russian Federation, the European Health for All database, and the Global Status Report on Alcohol. ■ RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Our review of this literature and these data revealed that the level of alcohol consumption (including estimated unregistered alcohol) in Russia remains among the highest in the world. Alcohol-related harm is considered by many to be a national disaster in Russia. Market liberalization, a weak state, and political populism increased supply and affordability of vodka relative to most other products. Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign also may have contributed to recent high levels of hazardous drinking because it led to increased home production and large-scale distribution networks of illegal alcohol and alcohol surrogates. All three presidents of Russia during the last two decades have tried to tackle the alcohol problem in the country, but yet unsuccessfully.