Russia’s Ministry of Health is proposing to raise the age for selling alcohol to 21, RIA Novosti reported.
According to the agency, the ministry has developed amendments to the law “On state regulation of production and sale of ethyl alcohol.” The changes apply to beverages with an alcohol content of more than 16.5%.
The project is evaluated by a working group in the Legislative Committee of the government, where a decision will be made to submit the project to the State Duma.
As an argument in favor of the changes, the Ministry of Health cites the results of medical research, according to which alcohol consumption negatively affects the development of the brain, which is finally formed only after 21 years. Alcohol consumption at an earlier age can have serious health consequences, said experts from the Russian Ministry of Health.
Such a proposal was discussed in 2019. Then the Ministry of Finance criticized the project, referring to the Constitution, according to which citizens over 18 can fully exercise their rights.
Source: BGNES