Medvedev urges more steps to curb alcohol threat

SOCHI. August 12. KAZINFORM Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday measures so far taken to curb alcohol abuse and other addictions in Russia had been insufficient; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

"I believe no changes have taken place really. Nothing has helped," Medvedev said, pointing to stricter production and sales requirements, limits on alcohol advertising and more severe penalties for drink driving introduced in recent years.

Medvedev reiterated that the problem was tantamount to a national security threat.

The Russian Public Chamber said in a report in June that around 500,000 Russians die from alcohol-related deaths annually.

The average Russian drinks 17 liters of spirits a year, with some 2 billion liters of alcohol being consumed in Russia annually. Alcohol is also involved in some 80% of murders and 40% of suicides in Russia, the report said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

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