Due to a lack of taxes on booze and cigarettes in Russia, you can buy a beer for less than a bottled water. Cigarettes are only .30 cents a pack. And Russians are taking advantage of these cheap prices at the cost of their health.
As a matter of fact 1 million Russians die every year from alcohol and tobacco abuse, and are now seeing their population shrink due to the abuse. Russia has 12 million less people than it did 15 years ago. It’s not surprising that Russian men are only living to an average of 60 years old.
The Russian government is hesitant to impose taxes, which could curtail the problem, because they fear unrest and a society intoxicated is easier to control. However, TV spots on the danger of drinking have begun in Russia, but it is not believed to be good enough to stop the problem. See more on the problem in a video below from Fox News.
