Alcohol-selling shops in Tuva Republic to be closed for violating law

The head of the Tuva Reoublic, Sholban Kara-ool, suggested the shops caught in reiterated and willful violation of alcohol trade rules should be closed for three months. 

"I would say the punishment for such stores should be stricter. As in all civilized countries, a shop would be stripped off its license for 90 days. If caught again - a shop would be deprived of the licence for life. There should be discipline at this point. This is the kind of people that we have - one should make people nervous all the time," Irina Rodnina, deputy of the State Duma, three-time Olympic champion in figure skating told Pravda.Ru. 

"One should support tougher liability measures, such as the suspension of all activities of selling points for 90 days," Pavel Shapkin, the head of the Center for the Development of National Alcohol Policies told Pravda.Ru. - Most alcohol-selling stores in the country also sell soft drinks and food products. Suspending the work of such stores is a more serious measure of influence as compared to a minor fine," the expert told Pravda.Ru. 

The authorities of the Tuva republic have been consistently struggling with alcohol consumption cutting it by one-third during the recent year.

In Tuva, selling alcohol is permitted only during weekdays and on Saturdays, except for last Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m.. Healthy lifestyle propaganda is a priority for local authorities.  A variety of sports facilities, including stadiums, football fields and swimming pools has appeared in the republic recently. 

Pravda.Ru