Absolut Vodka Exports to Russia Discontinued after Outcry in Sweden

THE GUARDIAN: Firm’s owner, Pernod Ricard, faced calls for boycott and political pressure after resuming some exports in April

Absolut’s chief executive said the firm did not want to expose its staff and partners to ‘massive criticism’. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images
The maker of Sweden’s Absolut vodka has said it is ceasing all exports to Russia after calls to boycott the brand flared up in Sweden and on social media.

The Absolut Company said it had “decided to stop the export of its brand to Russia”.

Stephanie Durroux, the firm’s chief executive, said in a statement that the company was exercising its “duty of care” towards its employees and partners. “We cannot expose them to massive criticism in all forms,” she added. » | Agence France-Presse in Stockholm | Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Russia’s Drinking Problem | 2003

Feb 10, 2021 • Drinking Away the Pain (2003) - More and more Russians are turning to drink to help numb the pain of post-Soviet life.

Russians consume over half the world’s hard liqueur. Vodka is often cheaper than non-alcoholic drinks and beer is marketed as a soft drink. As a result, alcoholism has reached record levels, pushing down life expectancies for Russian men to just 58. “As a rule, the Russian drinks until he falls. Some continue drinking even when they’re lying down,” explains one man. Unfortunately there are few places alcoholics can turn to for help. “I lost my family, I lost my house, everything,” recalls one former alcoholic sadly. He’s one of the lucky ones - a church charity took him in. For most Russian alcoholics, the only refuge available is a humiliating night in a ‘sober-cell.’ “Russia has a very tragic history … we have permanently faced cataclysm. Alcohol helps weak people to escape,” explains theatre director Yuri Lubimov. Unless the quality of life for more people improves, Russians will continue to seek refuge in the most traditional of cures.

'Allah' Vodka Stirs Anger in Kazakhstan
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vodka branded with the Arabic word Allah has caused uproar in Kazakhstan, a predominantly Muslim country with a taste for alcohol picked up during the Soviet Union.

Allah, which means God, is written on the front of Baiterek vodka bottle caps. The bottles’ labels also suggest the vodka packs a sizeable kick with the slogan: “Allah’s strength is enough for everybody.”

While alcohol has generally played an important role in Christianity, it is forbidden in Islam and the bottles, which appeared in the eastern city of Semey, have angered religious Kazakhs.

“The only salvation for those who did this is to repent,” Bekzat Boranbai uly, an Imam in Semey, told the KTK television station.

“Allah is against alcohol and this is mockery.” » | James Kilner, Central Asia Correpsondent | Thursday, April 05, 2012

Allah Hits the Bottle »

‘Allah' vodka pulled from shelves after Muslims protest in Kazakhstan »

Moscow to Ban Late Night Sales of Spirits
THE TELEGRAPH: Moscow is to ban sales of spirits and other strong alcohol at night and in the early hours of the morning in an attempt to wean Russia off one of its biggest health problems, according to reports.

According to a decree signed by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, shops in the Russian capital will no longer be able to sell drinks containing more than 15 per cent alcohol between 10:00 pm and 10:00 am.

This will prevent Muscovites from buying strong spirits like vodka and cognac late at night but will not affect sales of beer and wine. It remains to be seen how the ban will be implemented. >>> | Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Alkoholismus: Medwedjew dreht den Russen den Bierhahn zu
WELT ONLINE: Wie einst Michael Gorbatschow kritisiert Russlands Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew den hohen Alkoholkonsum in seinem Land. Laut einer Studie stehe die Hälfte aller Todesfälle der 15- bis 54-Jährigen seit dem Ende der Sowjetunion in Verbindung mit Alkohol. Wodka ist von den Verkaufsbeschränkungen nicht betroffen.

Wodka ist von den beschlossenen Maßnahmen nicht betroffen. Bild: Welt Online
Im Kampf gegen den grassierenden Alkoholismus in Russland scheint Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew jetzt erstmals ernst zu machen. Er ordnete Verkaufsbeschränkungen für Bier und ähnliche Getränke an. Sie dürfen künftig nicht mehr in Behältern verkauft werden, die ein Drittel Liter überschreiten. >>> AP/sk | Freitag, 11. September 2009

Smuggling Alcohol to Iran