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NEWS/Michael Tereshchenko
The Finance Ministry proposes to introduce a ban on the production and sale in Russia of albanerpeton — alcoholic drinks with tonic additives. The Department has prepared the relevant amendments to the law “On state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl alcohol…” (171-FZ). In the office of Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin supported the initiative, arguing that such drinks are dangerous to health.
The Finance Ministry proposes “to introduce a ban on the production and turnover of alcoholic products with content of ethyl alcohol strength less than 22% volume of finished products containing tonic substances”, told “Izvestia”, the press service of the Ministry, adding that the only exception is the production for circulation outside the country and export sales. The relevant rule, the Ministry of Finance formulated in anticipation of the second reading of the amendments senators Sergei ryabukhina, Vitaly Shuba and others in the law “On state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl alcohol…” (171-FZ). In the first reading the document was reviewed on March 24. Over the next 30 days, it has been amended, the date of the second reading has not yet been appointed.
The Finance Ministry said that the results of studies of scientific institutions, it was concluded about the harmful effects on the human body alcoholic soft drinks.
The health Ministry insists on banning the consumption of low alcohol beverages containing tonic substances, as these drinks are addictive to alcohol, — added the Ministry.
The Ministry also added that “in this matter we are talking about the health of the population, which is much more important than the” lost revenues from excise taxes.
In the office of Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin, who oversees the alcohol industry, said positively estimate the initiative of the Ministry of Finance.
— Alcohol in combination with caffeine or taurinom causes substantial harm, — said the press Secretary Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Platonova.
The Ministry of economic development and the Ministry of industry consider the proposed project of the Ministry of Finance, said the press service agencies. In the FAS said that it had not received the document.
A source in the financial-economic bloc of the government noted that “the introduction of the proposed prohibition is necessary the existence of a scientifically proven risk tonic alcohol-containing products compared to other types of alcoholic beverages.” According to him, also raises doubts about the proposed gradation of the ban on alcohol products containing less than 22% ethanol.
— It turns out that alcoholic beverages fortress over 22% with the content of the restorative materials is less harmful to the consumer, he explained.
According EMISS, in the first quarter of 2017 in Russia produced 15 million liters of alcoholic beverages with alcohol content not exceeding 9%, according to the statistical information system, EMISS. In the same period in 2016, the production was 13 million liters for the year 2016 — 70 million L. This is not the entire amount produced in the country of albanerpeton, stressed the head of the center of researches Federal and regional alcohol markets (tsifrra) Vadim Drobiz. According to him, another 250-300 million litres falls on beer and wine drinks as well as drinks, called cider, but not as them (pseudocide), which also contain toning substance.
Manufacture and sale of albanerpeton — licensed activity. As follows from the decision of the head of Rospotrebnadzor from 2005, manufacturers of such products are required to conduct an examination to confirm their safety. From the decision follows that the main components of tonic drinks are caffeine, natural biologically active substances from medicinal plants that have a tonic effect, as well as vitamins C, PP, V. the document says that “there is no reliable scientific evidence about the absence of potential negative impacts on the health of people, especially children and adolescents.” In Rospotrebnadzor did not specify whether there is more actual scientific data on risks in the use of such beverages.
The Ministry of health the situation is not commented.
Recall that in 2015 the 38 regions in the country supported the ban on the sale of alcoholic soft drinks, while the FAS tried to deal with this practice in the courts. But according to article 16 “About state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl alcohol…” (171-FZ) public authorities of subjects of the Russian Federation may establish limitations of time, conditions and places of retail trade, and to prohibit the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. The MPs have repeatedly offered to impose a ban of such drinks at the Federal level, but their projects did not reach the first reading — the government gave negative reviews.
Head of the project “Sober Russia”, member of Public chamber of the Sultan Hamzayev sure that the production and sale of albanerpeton should be prohibited at the Federal level. He emphasized that promotion of such drinks aimed at young people, which is their main consumer.
First energy, which appeared in Russia, contained an inscription that warned — the drink should not be mixed with alcohol, what is happening today, said Sultan Khamzayev.
In National Association of weak alcohol, and manufacturer of cocktail “Jaguar” works “kheppilend” have refrained from comments.