Education and Health Ministries intend to initiate recognising beer as strong drink

The Russian Education and Health Ministries repeatedly intend to propose that the government recognise beer as a strong drink, Russian Minister of education Vladimir Filippov stated at a press conference with RIA Novosti.

According to him, "it does not imply a ban for advertising beer as a kind of drink." "However, we must review our approaches towards beer as a harmless drink, which has become an essential component of the life of a majority of young people," the Minister pointed out. According to social surveys, "those young people who drink beer are potential drug addicts. However, beer sale is not limited, as it is not recognised as a strong drink," he pointed out.

The Education Minister stated that 26 million /80 per cent/ of children and young people at the age of 11-24 consumed strong drinks. Two thirds of them confessed that they drank beer.