The Russian government is planning to prohibit discounts on alcoholic beverages and restrict their placement near checkout counters as part of a broader initiative to reduce alcohol consumption nationwide by 2030.

According to Vedomosti, the proposed measures, which build on past successes in curbing alcoholism, also include tightening regulations on home distillation equipment and promoting healthier lifestyles through targeted campaigns.

The Ministry of Health has reported a 51% reduction in per capita alcohol consumption between 2009 and 2020, from 18 litres to 8.8 litres annually. The government now aims to lower this further to 7.8 litres, an 11% decrease. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, alongside the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation, has been tasked with drafting detailed proposals by spring 2025.

Other measures under consideration include restricting alcohol sales to specific times and locations, similar to practices already in place in several regions. For example, some regions limit sales to between 9 am and 10 pm or prohibit outlets near schools. The government also plans to increase excise taxes and the minimum retail price of alcohol.

Stricter control over home distillation devices is also being explored, potentially limiting their retail availability based on production capacity. A ban on the online sale and advertising of such equipment is also being considered.

The initiative aims to involve employers and trade unions in promoting workplace health programmes. From 2025, companies will be required to file annual reports on corporate alcohol reduction efforts. In tandem, expanded addiction rehabilitation services are planned, including longer operating hours at treatment centres and more peer-support counselling services.