You're reading: Party of Regions fights alcoholism in Ukraine

Kyiv, May 23 -- Party of Regions’ member of parliament Yuriy Miroshnychenko says that the recent increase of excise duty on alcohol beverages will hit two targets – economic benefits and decrease of alcoholism in Ukraine.

“We have to do something to make people drink less vodka. And, of course, it’s extremely important to bring more money to the state budget”, said Miroshnychenko to Inter channel, commenting the amendments to tax legislation adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on May 20. The amended bill increases excise duties on alcohol beverages.

“We really have to decrease alcohol consumption in Ukraine. Let’s take a look at some figures: every day 40 Ukrainians die of alcoholism, 98% of teenagers below 15 years old consume alcohol. According to the World Health Organization Ukraine is number one in Europe in alcohol consumption among kids. So we have to apply those methods that proved to be efficient in Europe”.

Miroshnychenko also said that last year’s increase of excise duty on tobacco goods already brought some positive effect as the number of smokers in Ukraine has decreased.