Alcohol Consumption In Russia Research Articles

Non-beverage alcohol consumption in Russia: new evidence from Jewish Autonomous Oblast.

Previous studies in Izhevsk, Novosibirsk, and Kazan have found that non-beverage alcohol is a large part of alcohol consumption in Russia. Whereas those places are relatively high-income cities, there are no studies about such a problem in low-income regions of Russia. The aim of this study is to investigate correlates and factors associated with non-beverage alcohol consumption in eastern regions of Russia, e.g. the Jewish Autonomous Oblast and to assess effectiveness of implementing Russian policies to restrict consumption of non-beverage alcohol. A survey of adults in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast of Russia was performed on workdays to assess non-beverage drinking patterns in summer 2022. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic status and alcohol use, including non-beverage alcohol consumption and drinking patterns. We use logistic regression to identify risk factors of consuming non-beverages. First, ~30% of individuals suffering from alcohol problems drink non-beverage alcohol. Second, those who regularly consume non-beverage alcohol compared with those who chronically drink legal strong alcohol are on average more likely to experience the negative effects of alcohol consumption. Third, income and marriage are the main factors negatively associated with surrogate alcohol consumption. Besides, age shows a curvilinear relationship with that. We suggest that a modified anti-surrogate policy to increase the minimum price of pharmacy alcohol and to enforce restrictions on the sale of non-beverage alcohol is needed in Russia. Such measures could prevent an increase in non-beverage alcohol consumption in Russia against the backdrop of declining real incomes of the population.

Factors Influencing Alcohol Consumption in Russia

The main purpose of the study is to determine the differences in factors influencing alcohol consumption in Russia (among urban and rural residents).The first part of the article provides the author's assessment of studies in which place of residence is considered as a specific factor influencing alcohol consumption. Attention is paid to works that focus on differences in factors affecting alcohol consumption depending on the place of residence.The main section of the article contains a description of the empirical testing of the hypotheses based on statistical data for 2012–2021 from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) NRU HSE. The author used panel logistic regression with random individual effects for the probability of alcohol consumption and a panel Tobin model for the volume of alcohol consumption. The study revealed differences in the degree of influence of the level of education and religiosity, marital status and the presence of children on the level of alcohol consumption among urban and rural residents. Thus, a higher level of religiosity reduces the likelihood of alcohol consumption by rural residents; the volume of alcohol consumption decreases with a rise in the level of religiosity in the city. It is also shown that the presence of children in families reduces per capita alcohol consumption only in villages.According to the author, the findings help make more effective and targeted recommendations for implementing state alcohol policy.

Alcohol Consumption in Russia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The article is devoted to the analysis of the main changes in alcohol consumption during the spread of coronavirus infection in Russia. The work is based on the results of an online survey of the urban working-age population aged 18–60+ (May-August 2020), as well as several waves of previous online studies (2009–2019) conducted by the Department of the Sociology of Deviant Behavior of the Federal Scientific Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The online surveys were accompanied by a secondary analysis of the available statistical and sociological data on the issues under study (Rosstat, Ministry of Health, VCIOM, the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE)), reflecting the indicators of alcohol consumption in various population groups. The paper examines what changes have occurred in patterns of drinking and everyday alcohol practices at the beginning of the pandemic (frequency and nature of alcohol consumption and intoxication, motives for consumption, attitudes towards alcohol) in different age and gender groups. It is shown that, despite the trend of the last ten years to reduce alcohol consumption, by the time of the pandemic, the alcohol situation in Russia remained tense. It was found that, although the pandemic did not lead to a widespread significant increase in alcohol consumption among the urban population, there were risk groups that increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic more than others. A number of social risk factors have been identified that have led to an increase in alcohol consumption in some populations. A number of social risk factors that have been catalysts for an increase in alcohol consumption in some population groups have been identified: 1) stress, 2) changes in social and material status, and 3) a high level of habitual alcohol consumption (the degree of alcoholization of an individual). The empirical data allows to make the following conclusions: although the pandemic has not led to a widespread significant increase in alcohol consumption among the urban population, there were risk groups that increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic more than others. The pandemic has intensified the negative trends of alcoholization of the urban population observed in the pre-pandemic period.

ALCOHOLIC POLICY OF THE SOVIET STATE IN THE 1920S IN THE PEASANTS' ASSESSMENTS

The relevance of the study is due to the complex dynamics of alcohol consumption in Russia in recent decades, the traditionally high attention of society and the authorities to the issues of sobriety and drunkenness of the population of the country. The article is devoted to the analysis of how the policy of the Soviet government in the sphere of production and distribution of alcoholic beverages was refracted in the consciousness of the largest social group of the 1920s - the peasantry. The study provides assessments by the villagers of the peculiarities of state policy in this direction – the fight against moonshine, the establishment of a state monopoly on the sale of alcohol. Methodologically, the study is based on comparative historical and hermeneutic approaches. Among the sources involved are letters from peasants to authorities at various levels and the editorial offices of periodicals ("Peasant Newspaper"), as well as characteristics of the situation in the village from the Soviet state security agencies. The materials are quite subjective. Taken together, the documents make it possible to identify some general trends in the moods of rural inhabitants. For the most part, the peasants were skeptical of both the efforts of the authorities to combat domestic distilling and the establishment of a state wine monopoly. So, the authors of the reviews saw in the new course of drinking policy only the pursuit of fiscal interests by the administration. The article also concludes that there is no direct influence of public opinion on the vector of state alcohol policy, the specific features of which were determined by representatives of the Soviet government in accordance with plans for the implementation of the "Big Leap" in the 1930s, which required stable replenishment of the country's budget with monetary funds, including through the sale of state-owned alcoholic beverages to the population.

Impact of macroeconomic parameters on alcohol consumption in Russia

Background: A high level of alcohol consumption, a significant share in the structure of unrecorded alcohol consumption, as well as changing economic cycles, make Russia a convenient object for studying the influence of the level of income of the population on the level of alcohol consumption. Aims: to study the relationship between macroeconomic parameters and alcohol consumption in Russia at the population level. Methods: A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the main macroeconomic indicators (gross domestic product (GDP), Gini coefficient) and the level of alcohol sales, the level of alcohol consumption, the level of consumption of unrecorded alcohol in Russia in the period from 1990 to 2015 has been carried out. Results: GDP is positively correlated with alcohol sales (r = 0.45; p <0.021), negatively correlated with the general level of alcohol consumption (r = -0.68; p <0.000), as well as with the consumption of unrecorded alcohol (r = -0.79; p <0.000). The Gini coefficient is positively correlated with the level of alcohol sales, although this relationship is not statistically significant (r = 0.4; p <0.063). No relationship was found between the Gini coefficient and the overall level of alcohol consumption (r = 0.04; p <0.871), as well as the consumption of unrecorded alcohol (r = -0.13; p <0.576). Conclusions: a positive relationship was found between income and the sale of alcohol, as well as a negative relationship between income and consumption of unrecorded alcohol at the population level. The data obtained substantiate the need for synchronous indexation of excise taxes on alcohol as incomes of the population grow in order to reduce the economic availability of alcohol.

Russian-Language Mobile Apps for Reducing Alcohol Use: Systematic Search and Evaluation.

BackgroundPersonalized prevention tools such as mobile apps designed to reduce alcohol consumption are widespread in mobile app stores accessible in Russia. However, the quality and content of these mobile apps have not been systematically evaluated.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify Russian-language mobile apps for reducing alcohol use and to evaluate their quality and potential to change alcohol-related health behavior. It further aimed to identify apps that could facilitate screening and brief interventions in primary health care in Russia.MethodsA systematic search for mobile apps available in Russia was carried out between April 1 and 15, 2020, December 1 and 15, 2020, and in March 2021 in the iPhone App Store, Google Play Store, and the 4PDA forum. App quality was assessed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), and structured searches in electronic libraries and bibliographic databases were used to evaluate the apps’ evidence base. The number of features facilitating changes in lifestyle behavior was assessed using the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS).ResultsWe identified 63 mobile apps for reducing alcohol use. The mean MARS quality ratings were high for the subscales of functionality (3.92 out of 5, SD 0.58) and aesthetics (2.96, SD 0.76) and low for engagement (2.42, SD 0.76) and information (1.65, SD 0.60). Additional searches in electronic libraries and bibliographic databases (eLibrary, CyberLeninka, Google Scholar) yielded no studies involving the identified apps. ABACUS scores ranged from 1 to 15 out of 25, with a mean of 5 (SD 3.24). Two of the identified apps might be useful for screening and brief interventions in Russian primary health care after improvements in content and scientific testing.ConclusionsRussian-language mobile apps for reducing alcohol use are accessible in the app stores. Many of them are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and easy to use. However, information about their scientific trialing or testing is lacking. Most apps contain a low number of features that facilitate changes in lifestyle behavior. Further research should examine the context of Russian-language mobile apps for reducing alcohol use. Our findings underline the need to develop evidence-based apps to mitigate alcohol consumption in Russia and elsewhere.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020167458; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=167458

Impact of Macroeconomic Parameters On Alcohol Consumption in Russia

Background: A high level of alcohol consumption, a significant share in the structure of unrecorded alcohol consumption, as well as changing economic cycles, make Russia a convenient object for studying the influence of the level of income of the population on the level of alcohol consumption. Aims: to study the relationship between macroeconomic parameters and alcohol consumption in Russia at the population level. Methods: A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the main macroeconomic indicators (gross domestic product (GDP), Gini coefficient) and the level of alcohol sales, the level of alcohol consumption, the level of consumption of unrecorded alcohol in Russia in the period from 1990 to 2015 has been carried out. Results: GDP is positively correlated with alcohol sales (r = 0.45; p <0.021), negatively correlated with the general level of alcohol consumption (r = -0.68; p <0.000), as well as with the consumption of unrecorded alcohol (r = -0.79; p <0.000). The Gini coefficient is positively correlated with the level of alcohol sales, although this relationship is not statistically significant (r = 0.4; p <0.063). No relationship was found between the Gini coefficient and the overall level of alcohol consumption (r = 0.04; p <0.871), as well as the consumption of unrecorded alcohol (r = -0.13; p <0.576). Conclusions: a positive relationship was found between income and the sale of alcohol, as well as a negative relationship between income and consumption of unrecorded alcohol at the population level. The data obtained substantiate the need for synchronous indexation of excise taxes on alcohol as incomes of the population grow in order to reduce the economic availability of alcohol.

Scientifc assessment of the degree of implementation of the state policy to reduce abuse of alcoholic products and prevent alcoholism among the population of the Russian Federation until 2020

Goal. The goal of this study was to assess the scale of the implementation of the measures of the Concept to Reduce Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Dependence among the Population of the Russian Federation for the Period up to 2020.Methods. Research methods included legal analysis, as well as epidemiological and sociological data analysis.Results. The goals and the indicators of the Concept were achieved generally. According to our assessment, 15 (71%) out of 21 of the Concept’s measures have been implemented, among them 12 were fully, and 3 were partially (14%) implemented. Out of the 17 evidence-based measures of the Concept, 15 (88%) were implemented in full or in part.Alcohol consumption decreased from 15,7 to 9,1 liters of ethanol per capita (or by 42%) in 2008–2019. Mortality from accidental alcohol poisoning decreased by 60% (from 16,9 to 7 per 100.000) between 2008 and 2020. There was a signifcant decrease in the indicators of alcoholism in Russia during the period of the implementation of the Concept.Conclusions. The study shows that the goals, the objectives, the measures and the indicators of the Concept have been largely achieved. This was accompanied by the decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with alcohol consumption in Russia.

Impact of macroeconomic parameters on alcohol consumption in Russia

Impact of macroeconomic parameters on alcohol consumption in Russia

Decline in alcohol consumption in Russia: Collectivity or polarisation?

Sales and survey data have shown a decline in alcohol consumption in Russia since 2007. This study examines whether this decline is consistent across lighter and heavier drinkers in line with the theory of the collectivity of drinking cultures. Data were collected through annual nationally representative surveys conducted between 2006 and 2018 of 33 109 individuals aged 18-85 years. We estimated generalised linear regression with Gamma distribution and used log alcohol volume consumed during the previous 30 days as the dependent variable for five percentile groups: heavy drinkers (95th), near heavy drinkers (90th), moderate drinkers (80th), light drinkers (60th for men and 70th for women) and non-drinkers. Dummy variables for years, percentile groups and their interactions were used as independent variables. The controls were age, education, income, body weight, marital status, household demographic structure, residence, ethnicity and regional climate. Reductions in alcohol consumption were observed in all percentiles, but the scale of change was proportionally smaller among heavier drinkers than among lighter drinkers. However, consumption fell by a smaller amount among lighter drinkers than among heavier drinkers. Results of the regression analysis fit with the descriptive statistics. Interactions between the time period and the percentile groups were significant after 2010. Trends were similar for both sexes. Downward trends across percentiles were in the same direction but the magnitude of change varied. Obtained evidence fails to support a polarisation and points towards soft collectivity hypothesis in the reduction in drinking in Russia.

Estimation of the level of alcohol consumption in Russia: A literature review

Background: the level of alcohol consumption per capita is an important indicator of the alcohol-related problems. However, it is difficult to estimate the real level of alcohol consumption, since part of the consumption comes from illegal sources. Aim: an overview of studies estimating the overall level of alcohol consumption in Russia. Methods: in this review, 9 articles were analyzed estimating the overall level of alcohol consumption in Russia. Results: in the period from 1956 to 2015 the overall level of alcohol consumption was subject to significant fluctuations: it grew almost linearly in the period from 1965 to 1979; decreased markedly in 1981; declined sharply between 1984 and 1987; rose sharply between 1991 and 1994; decreased significantly between 1995 and 1998; then increased significantly in the period from 1999 to 2003, after which it began to decline. The lowest estimate of the level of alcohol consumption for the entire period under consideration was obtained using the method proposed by Razvodovsky (7.25 litres - 1987), and the highest - using the method proposed by Norstrom (19.64 litres - 1994). Conclusion: despite a significant decrease in the level of alcohol consumption in Russia over the past decade, this level remains high.

Effect of affordability of alcohol on the level of alcohol consumption in Russia

To study the relationship between the affordability of alcohol and the level of its sale, the total level of consumption, as well as the consumption of unrecorded alcohol in Russia in the post-Soviet period.

The impact of habitation environment on population alcohol consumption in Russia

The article presents the results of analysis of complex of potential environmental factors for alcohol consumption by population of the Russian Federation. It was revealed that the level of alcoholization of residents of certain territories of the Russian Federation is positively associated with systemic severity of indices of social and criminal tension in society. The potential physical and geographical risk factors of alcohol abuse of population are severity of Northern latitude of residence and low level of average annual air temperature and longitude of day in winter season. The content of boron, calcium and magnesium in human body are negatively and copper, manganese and nickel positively associated with alcoholization of residents of Russian regions. It should be noted that systematic accounting of environmental characteristics can predict risk of alcoholization among residents of certain territories of the Russian Federation.

The Decline in Alcohol Consumption in Russia from 2006 to 2017: Do Birth Cohorts Matter?

Previous studies on youth drinking showed opposite trends for high-income and low-income countries. In Russia, a recent decline was observed in the prevalence of alcohol use, particularly among younger cohorts. This study aims at disentangling age and birth cohort effects to better understand the dynamics of abstinence and the volume of alcohol consumption. Data were collected from annual nationally representative panel surveys from 2006 to 2017. Data included 34,514 individuals aged 14-80. We estimated mixed-effects binary-choice models for percentage of abstainers and mixed-effects linear models with Heckman correction for alcohol volume. Integer variables of age and age-squared were used. Period was defined with a dummy variable using 2012 as the dividing line associated with a new Russian alcohol policy. Birth cohorts were defined as 13 groups from 1930-1939 to 2000-2003. Controls were per capita income, education, marital status, composition of households, body weight, ethnicity, residence type, regional per capita income and regional climate. In both genders, percentage of abstainers increased and drinking volumes declined. Age for both genders showed u-shaped trend for abstinence and inverse u-shaped trend for alcohol volume. Controlling for age effects, cohorts born after 1990 demonstrated the strongest increase in abstinence for both genders and the strongest decrease in alcohol volume for males. The period of 2012-2017 had the effect of increasing the abstinence and decreasing the alcohol volume. Downward trend in alcohol consumption in Russia is partially attributable to increased abstinence and reduced alcohol volume among younger cohorts.

Comparative Analysis of Alcohol Excise Taxation and State Alcohol Policies in Russia and Germany

The influence of excise policy on alcohol consumption has been a focus of interest among Russian and international researchers. In Russia, the socio-economic effects of alcohol abuse are as damaging to the country as its health effects. This problem can be addressed by stimulating a shift of consumer preferences from spirits towards low-alcohol beverages, such as wine and beer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of state alcohol policies, in particular the price and non-price measures, in Russia and Germany and the influence of these policies on alcohol consumption. Based on our research findings, we are going to devise recommendations for improvement of the state alcohol excise policies in these countries. The hypothesis is that for Russia, a feasible solution would be to readjust its alcohol excise policy by increasing the tax burden on spirits and reducing the burden on low-alcohol beverages, which would change the price structure for different kinds of alcohol products. The research methodology involves the analysis of the current state and characteristics of alcohol excise taxation in Russia and Germany, the measures of the state alcohol policies implemented in these countries and their influence on tax revenues and alcohol consumption. We also conducted comparative analysis of the restrictive measures of manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of alcohol products in Russia and Germany; the dynamics and types of alcohol excise rates in Russia and EU countries. Yet another question discussed in this study is the influence of restrictive measures, especially excise duties, on the amount and structure of alcohol consumption in Russia and Germany. Our study has shown the need to readjust the alcohol excise policy in Russia by taking into account the experience of Germany and other European states. For citation Iadrennikova E. V., Busse R. A. Comparative Analysis of Alcohol Excise Taxation and State Alcohol Policies in Russia and Germany. Journal of Tax Reform . 2020;6(1):54–72. DOI: 10.15826/jtr.2020.6.1.075. Article info Received February 10, 2020 ; Revised March 6, 2020 ; Accepted March 27, 2020

REGIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ALCOHOLIC DEPENDENCE SYNDROME

Introduction. There are variable patterns of alcohol consumption in Russia that differ significantly between the regions. Awareness and knowledge of those regional differences are key to the effectiveness of measures to prevent and minimise possible damage to public health caused by alcohol consumption. The purpose. To identify regional characteristics of the dynamics of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis and dependencies with indicators of the implementation and consumption of alcohol in Mari El in 2006-2017. Material and methods. In a retrospective analysis, they included state statistics and bulletins of the Office of Rospotrebnadzor on RME on the primary incidence and prevalence of alcohol dependence syndrome, chronic alcoholism, AP, acute alcohol poisoning, sales of alcohol through a distribution network in 2006-2017. Results. In the reported period of 2006-2017 there was a decline in determination coefficient (R2) from 0.76 to 0.96 for newly diagnosed cases of alcohol dependence in general, alcoholic psychosis and alcoholism in Mari El. There was a significant decline from 221.6 to 47.5 per 100 thousand in the range of values between regions, but higher rates remained among the rural and urban areas (p = 0.0002). The dynamics of the prevalence of alcoholic psychotic disorders and alcoholism were also on decline. Conclusion. The direction and extent of changes in the medical consequences of alcohol consumption (such as primary morbidity and prevalence of alcohol dependence syndrome, alcoholic psychosis and alcoholism, average duration of the course, number of alcoholic psychosis) in the region and indicators of the implementation and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the reported period can be evaluated as positive. It is crucial to ensure the positive trend in the alcohol consumption pattern and impact on public health in the region becomes a long-lasting one. At the same time, it is necessary to increase attention to the assistance and treatment provided to drug users patient.

DENTAL AND SALIVARY STATUSES OF MEN WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER DEPENDING ON AGE

Introduction. High level of alcohol consumption in Russia and significant need of dental care especially among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) dictate necessity of investigation of dental pathology features among this group of patients. The aim of the study is to research dental and salivary statuses of men with ADS depending on the age. Methods. Examination of indices of dental and salivary statuses was carried out among two age groups of patients with second stage of AUD aged 25-44 years - «younger» and 45-64 years - «older». Methods of statistical analysis were Pearson's chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression. Results. In studied group median of DMFT with Q1 and Q3 is 14,0 (11,0-20,0) in younger group and 23,0 (18,0-29,0) in older group with significant prevalence of missing teeth in older group (p

Newest policy developments regarding surrogate alcohol consumption in Russia

Abstract The following viewpoint updates on very recent developments regarding policies for unrecorded surrogate alcohol consumption in Russia. It is outlined how and why the current lack of an appropriate legal framework and poor enforcement of existing measures can potentially increase mortality among the most vulnerable populations of heavy drinkers.

Alcohol consumption in Russia: Distorted vision

Alcohol consumption in Russia: Distorted vision

Demand for Alcohol Consumption in Russia and Its Implication for Mortality

Alcohol abuse is widely blamed for the very high rate of male mortality in Russia. I estimate a structural model of the demand for alcohol that incorporates two features of alcohol consumption, peer effects and habits. I use a kink in the policy regime of the excise tax on alcohol and regional variation in alcohol regulations to estimate a price elasticity of demand for alcohol. I find that peer influence and habits are critical determinants of the response of alcohol demand to price changes. The estimates imply that increases in alcohol prices would yield significant reductions in mortality. (JEL D12, H25, I12, L66, P23, P36)