Legislative body to prohibit liquor outlets from stocking infant-resembling sweets
Russia is considering a legislative proposal to ban the sale of items appealing to children in alcohol stores. The proposal, currently being developed by State Duma deputies and narcologists, faces a challenge due to the lack of a clear legal definition of "alcohol stores."
Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family, Children, and Youth Affairs, Tatiana Butskaya, explained to "Novy Day" that while stores primarily selling alcohol may only account for 35% of their sales, children's products have no place there. She emphasized that the proposed legislation aims to address this issue.
Meanwhile, Anton Poddubny, Chief Narcologist of the Ministry of Health in the Ural Federal District, has highlighted the importance of maintaining alcohol stores as exclusive sellers of alcoholic beverages. He believes that allowing child-friendly products in such stores could create harmful associations for children, potentially leading to increased alcohol consumption as they grow older.
Poddubny also suggested that alcohol stores should not be located near residential areas, mimicking recent trends in Russian regulations that prohibit alcohol sales in stores with entrances from residential buildings or adjacent territories. Instead, alcohol sales should only be allowed in large shopping centers or supermarkets.
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Currently, Russian regulations primarily focus on restricting access to alcohol through location, taxation, and advertising bans. No explicit proposed legislation related to banning child-attractive items in alcohol stores has been identified.
In related news, the Moscow region will enforce a ban on the sale of alcohol in stores with residential building entrances from September 1, 2025. This move is part of a broader strategy to control alcohol consumption and reduce related harms.
[Source: RIA "Novy Day"]
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- The proposal for legislative change regarding items appealing to children in alcohol stores comes after a focus on restricting access to alcohol through location, taxation, and advertising bans, as evidenced in Russian policies.
- The policy-and-legislation decision tackles the concern about the presence of children's products in alcohol stores, a move that aligns with the health-and-wellness and general-news agendas aimed at controlling children's exposure to potentially harmful substances and situations.
- In the realm of science, experts like Anton Poddubny point out the long-term implications of allowing child-friendly products in alcohol stores due to the possibility of teaching children harmful associations about alcohol that could lead to unhealthy consumption patterns in the future.
