Russia, Moscow: The Russian State Duma unanimously passed on November 26 the conciliatory commission's version of a bill that restricts beer sales and consumption in public places. The bill will now be directed to the Federation Council for approval, the Russian information Agency Novosti reported. A conciliatory commission had earlier been put in charge of revising the bill.

The bill restricts the sale and consumption of beer and beer-based products in children's, educational and medical institutions and the areas surrounding them. The document bans selling beer in cultural institutions, sports centers and public transport, as well as to under-age children. Under the bill, beer cannot be consumed in the streets, parks, at stadiums and in other public places, except for restaurants and cafes.

The first law bill passed in late October and backed by over 400 lawmakers was voted down by the upper house. The senators agreed with the concept of the law, but said it envisaged no punishment for violators, which brings the effort to nil.

First deputy speaker of the State Duma Lyubov Sliska said the concept of the law remained unchanged after the work of the conciliatory commission. “The main provisions regarding retail sale and drinking of beer in public places remained intact”, she said. Sliska hopes both the lower and upper chambers will pass the law now.

A bill banning beer commercials between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. came into effect earlier in September, and the number of ads has already fallen by three-quarters. A ban on the use of people and animals in beer ads will come into effect next year, according to Moscow News.

Public beer drinking in Russia is widespread. The country’s vodka habit means many don’t consider beer an alcoholic drink and Muscovites can often be seen with a bottle on their way to work in the morning. The distinct lack of affordable restaurants and bars means the trend could be hard to shift.

Now about 300 breweries, which hire 50 thousand employees, are brewing beer in Russia. In 2003 brewing industry contributed some RUB 50 billion (USD 1.75 billion) to the State budget.

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