Gennady Onishchenko on the retail sale of alcohol and tobacco
Photo: Vladimir VELENGURIN
… – Gennady Grigorievich, on Sunday, April 21, at 4:27 a.m., the long-awaited information appeared in the Komsomolskaya Pravda news service…
– What thing!
– It turns out that in Russia in 2023 retail sales of cigarettes decreased; The Ministry of Health believes that they amounted to a thousand units per capita.
– More or less…
– And, furthermore, they affirm that the volume of alcohol consumption has decreased to 8.44 liters per capita. This was so influenced by the fact that President Vladimir Putin signed a law providing for an increase, albeit gradual, in excise taxes on tobacco products. And he also called for the development of physical education and sports in the country?
– Do you remember, Sash, that at some point in 2012 in Russia we adopted the Anti-Smoking Law?
It was adopted one of the last among developed countries, but it turned out to be the most perfect.
– Yeah? Because!
– Yes, because all those practices that were already in force in other countries were taken into account.
But the point, of course, is not just that. And throughout all these years, since the approval of the law, we have carried out…
– Fight against tobacco.
– And – for the health of smokers.
This includes bans on smoking indoors, airports and public events.
This is anti-nicatin propaganda.
In addition, the cessation of illegal trafficking.
Although the problem has not been completely resolved; Take, for example, the border area with Kazakhstan… And there both tobacco and alcohol are much cheaper. And movement across the border is completely free.
But that is not the point. In any case, there is a positive trend.
As for the instrument called increased excise taxes, it was also provided for by law and they are gradually increasing.
Increasing excise taxes on tobacco products is a global practice. This is called declining financial inclusion: the more expensive it is, the less people buy. This is the beginning.
– Now let’s go back to alcohol.
– It depends on what you want to say.
– The Ministry of Health considers that the volume of alcohol consumption has decreased to 8.44 liters per capita per year…
– Let me immediately remind you that there is an indicator established by the WHO (World Health Organization – AG): if a nation, in this case the citizens of a particular country, consumes less than 8 liters, then this is an Indicator more or less good. If it is greater than 8 (and unfortunately it is still the case here): 8 liters per capita of anhydrous alcohol per year… Then it is of no use. 8 liters of alcohol.
– Per capita?
– Yeah.
Do you remember that this (we are talking about a statistically complete student? – AG) – from a newborn to the deepest old man. Well, it is clear that neither newborns nor older people consume these 8 liters, it turns out that this entire proportion falls on the so-called economically active population;
And this means that this average number of men there, first of all, let’s say, 18 to 40 years old, consume much more alcohol than 8.8.
Do you remember that in the speech of the President of Russia, which has now essentially become the program of the Head of State for the next six-year political cycle, from 2024 to 2030, even economic incentives are introduced?
If I actively participate in physical education and this is recorded according to my health indicators, then my tax burden can be reduced. This is a very good incentive.
By the way, the Message says that about 70% of our people participate in one way or another in physical education and sports.
* * *
– I have the feeling that you are panting a little. Have you caught a cold?
– No, I am the one who gives strength to my voice so that the information I express is better perceived… How are you?
– Good. Run. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink.
-Have you measured yourself with these numbers that are mentioned in relation to all of us?
– Certainly. Sometimes I only smoke a pack while I sleep… But I never smoke less than three cigarettes while I sleep.
– Well, put things in order while you sleep and at least… How much alcohol do you drink?
– There is no time to drink.
– You recently had a very significant anniversary… You turned 70 years old. How much did you drink?
– Well, I drank 70 grams…
– How much physical education do you do?
– One day – no, one week I jog at least three times in the morning.
– In a dream?
– Not really. All. Thank you so much.
– Have you noticed how much more work you need to do to reach the level of the average Russian?
– Yes, sure.
– Go for it!
