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Government says no likelihood of Russian alcohol shortages

© RIA Novosti . Sergei Subbotin / Go to the mediabankGovernment says no likelihood of Russian alcohol shortages
Government says no likelihood of Russian alcohol shortages - Sputnik International
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Russian authorities dismissed rumors on Wednesday that they were planning to introduce further controls on alcohol sales, which could lead to alcohol shortages.

Russian authorities dismissed rumors on Wednesday that they were planning to introduce further controls on alcohol sales, which could lead to alcohol shortages.

The Vedomosti business daily reported on Wednesday that the state-run automatic registration system that monitors volume alcohol production and circulation (EGAIS) would soon begin monitoring retail sales, causing a possible deficit on the market.

Government press secretary Dmitry Peskov dismissed fears of an alcohol deficit, similar to the one that hit Russia in 2006 when EGAIS was set up. The deficit was caused by technical problems with supply of excise stamps, which triggered shortages as retailers could not legally sell bottles without the stamps.

"There is no question of controlling [alcohol] retail sales in the foreseeable future," Peskov said.

A federal alcohol regulator said EGAIS currently applied to alcohol production and wholesale operations.

If and when it was extended to retail sales, the measure would first need to be harmonized with government agencies and businesses concerned and would first be introduced on a trial basis and on a limited level.

Russia has one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world, with around 40 percent of people drinking excess amounts on a regular basis, according to health ministry statistics.

In August, Russia passed a law restricting sales of beverages containing more than 15 percent alcohol between 10 pm and 10 am in a bid to curb the problem, which is one of Russia's biggest killers.

MOSCOW, May 11 (RIA Novosti)

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