KavkazCenter - People's Vodka Urged For Russians

People's Vodka Urged For Russians

The head of Russia's union of wine and spirits producers has called on the country's lawmakers to legislate for the introduction of "people's vodka".

Osman Paragulgov says the introduction of a cheap, but safe and regulated drink, would help poorer Russians currently unable to buy genuine vodka.

Russians often turn to substitutes - often with fatal results.

Several Russian regions have declared states of emergency recently after a spate of fake vodka poisonings.

Mr Paragulgov says the worst-hit areas should be used as a testing ground for "people's vodka", or, as he says it would be better named, "social vodka".

He says the move would help to establish whether the death toll - now running into thousands of people a month - could be reduced.

Mr Paragulgov is an influential figure in one of the world's hardest-drinking nations.

He says his organisation is acting out of concerns for the health of Russians.

Pointing out that some 30% of Russian vodka-drinkers struggle to afford genuine supplies, which are subject to excise and value added tax, he says there is a serious need for a safe and accessible alternative.

Such a vodka, Mr Paragulgov suggests, should be sold in simple bottles - neither eye-catching enough to attract better-off drinkers, nor so wretched as to embarrass its poorer consumers.

Bureau Report