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Russian government does not intend to introduce excise taxes on sugary drinks

GORKI, October 17. /TASS/. The Russian government does not intend to introduce excise taxes on sugary drinks, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev told journalists on Monday.

"We are not going to introduce excise tax on sugary drinks. The main directions of tax policy indicate that we do not plan it," the Minister said.

Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev said earlier, that the introduction of excise duty on palm oil and harmful products is not of immediate interest; so far the authorities refused this idea.

However, Deputy Finance Minister Ilya Trunin told reporters that the Russian Finance Ministry continued to work on excise taxes on sugary drinks. "I do not know about such decisions. This is a worldwide practice on sugary drinks. I think that this question was not removed from the agenda. We continue to review it. On sugary drinks, as well as electronic cigarettes, various types of taxes are currently being used in the world, we will not stand out from any trends," Trunin said at the time.

The Finance Ministry made a proposal to set excises on sugar-containing products this February. This measure aimed at reducing consumption of unhealthy foods and greater budget revenues is used in a number of countries, according to the Ministry.