9th ASA Expert Group Working Meeting RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY RUSSIAN FEDERATION 9th ASA Expert Group Working Meeting Stockholm, 22-23 September, 2014

Increase in Prices Minimal price for liquors has been further increased For vodka from 199 Rub. up to 220 RUR, starting on 1st of August (previous increase for vodka was in March, from 170 RUR) Plans to further increase alcohol acsises, increasing the price of 0.5 l. bottle of 40% vodka up to 340 RUR in 2017

Sales to Minors Further increase of fines for alcohol sales to minors (18+), possible criminal responsibility for repeated violation Fines for individuals 30,000-50,000 RUR, 100,000-200,000 for company officials, 300,000- 500,000 RUR for legal entities. For repeated offence (180 days) possibility of license cancellation, criminal responsibility and administrative prohibitions

Licensing Requirements Requirement for retail outlets trading alcohol Size: no less than 50 sq.m. in urban settlements and 25 sq.m. in rural settlements If rented, valid agreement for not less that 1 year Cash-register equipment

Upcoming Development Plans to limit sales of alcohol in plastic bottles Beer in plastic bottles sizes 1l, 1.5l, 2l and more Gradual limitations for strengths and sizes and total ban in 2017

Plans to limit trans-border import of spirits New Initiative Plans to limit trans-border import of spirits Within the Customs Union (Belorus-Kazakhstan-Russia) Russia plans to limit the amount of alcohol brought in country across the border to 5 liters. Alcohol industry note a rapid decrease in sales of spirits in 2014, and complain that up to 50% alcohol is sold in the “grey or black market” `

Limit alcohol sales to persons under 21 years of age. New Initiative Limit alcohol sales to persons under 21 years of age. Currently 18+

NOT SOLD! The limit of sales hours (obligatory 11PM-8AM) appears to be a measure of a very high effectiveness!

Requirement to close tobacco products with non- transparent shields

Requirement to close tobacco products with non- transparent shields

Synthetic Cannabinoids TO SMOKE AND... Synthetic cannabinoids dealer’s contact number written with aerosol paint on asphalt in a street of Moscow