In the postwar USSR tried several times to conquer alcoholism.
In 1958, announced the fight vodka. It was banned to sell in all food service (except restaurants) in the vicinity of industrial enterprises, educational institutions, and also in places of mass festivities. After 14 years, took over the production. Factories began to produce more wine and beer, but less strong alcohol. Across the country, was established ATCs, where fans to lay the collar sent forcibly. And movies have begun to actively cut scenes, in which characters spill and overturn.
Of course, at full capacity worked the propaganda machine. Magazines and Newspapers batches printed the cartoons, exposing drinkers and moonshiners. Many of them were very witty.
How successful was the campaign of 1972, can be seen in the following statistics. The consumption of alcohol that does not exceed 5 liters per person per year neither the Russian Empire nor in the era of Stalinism, by the late 70’s reached the level of 10.5 liters. And given the clandestine moonshine — exceeded 14 litres. According to estimates, this level was equivalent to about 60 bottles of vodka a year for every adult male, except for a small number of abstainers.
Therefore in 1985 launched an unprecedented large-scale war with ethyl alcohol. All party organizations were ordered to “strongly and universally to intensify the struggle”; in each Republic has tightened administrative and criminal penalties for offenses related to alcohol. For the first time the state has reduced income from alcohol, which was a very significant item in the state budget (about 30%).
Throughout the country began to spread an article of academician corner, in which he argued that drunkenness is not inherent to the Russian people. A huge number of specialized shops was closed. Everyone else was ordered to sell alcohol only from two o’clock to seven.
Folklore meanwhile replenished perfect:
At six in the morning the rooster crows, eight — Joe.
The shop is closed up to the two key Gorbachev.
For a week, before the second bury Gorbachev.
Unearth Brezhnev is going to drink still.
Thank the party home, no vodka in the output!
But do not you cry, my Mary, — my Cologne I napiza!
All these reforms could not lead to a decrease in sales of alcohol. As a consequence, increased birth rate and life expectancy. But soon the Union was no more, and began 90…
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