Russian Gov’t Considering Imposing Ban on Nighttime Sale of Spirits

VLADIVOSTOK. March 11. VOSTOK-MEDIA – The Russian Government is considering imposing a ban on sale of spirits in shops after 9:00 p.m.

The ban would be extended to alcoholic beverages containing more than 15% by volume, Mayak radio station quoted a source in Ministry of Industry and Trade as saying.

Ministry of Industry and Trade and Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation, which are the co-authors of the bill, disagreed about time the prohibition shall be in force. The former proposed the ban should remain in effect until 8:00 a.m., the latter – until 11:00 a.m.

The law “On Regulation of Retail Sales of Alcoholic Beverages and Alcohol Abuse Prevention in Primorsky Krai”, which imposes a ban on sale of spirits from 10:00 p.m. till 9:00 a.m., has already become effective. The law was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Promirsky Krai on 27 November, 2009.