Putin calls for state monopoly of alcohol sale
KALININGRAD, Russia. July 2 (Interfax) - Substandard alcoholic drinks kill 40,000 Russians yearly, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, calling for the state to monopolize alcohol business.
"I believe that this problem [sale of low standard alcohol] would be solved in the best way possible if one pressed for government decisions that would in effect go over to state monopoly over alcohol," Putin said at a State Council meeting in Kaliningrad.
"The government agrees with this," and senior government figures "have promised to move toward [such monopoly] as soon as possible, but step by step," Putin said.
"It is with our current system [of alcohol market regulation] that substandard products kill 40,000 [yearly]," he said.
Regional excise stamps, which are "bought and sold by the bunch," are one problem, Putin said. "It's obvious that the existing system doesn't work - it's too corrupt and ineffective," he said.
There are "various ways" for the state to monopolize alcohol business, ways "that have been tested out in countries with developed economies and don't run against market principles," he said.
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