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Chief public health official supports prohibition proposal, says it’s unrealistic

“A bottle of alcohol must cost no less than $100. Low prices of alcohol make it accessible to young people and even children,” Gennady Onishchenko said

MOSCOW, October 14 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian Chief Public Health Official Gennady Onishchenko supports the proposal of Chechen republic head Ramzan Kadyrov to outlaw alcohol throughout the country but thinks it is unrealistic.

“Personally, I support this proposal but I realize that it is unrealistic,” he said. “I think we should apply measures many countries have taken.”

“A bottle of alcohol must cost no less than $100. The current minimal alcohol price of 98 rubles [the current exchange rate is 30.99 rubles to the dollar]. Low prices of alcohol make it accessible to young people and even children,” he said.

He also noted that alcoholic beverages must be sold at specialized stores only and within limited hours.