Alcohol Legality In Belarus: Is It Prohibited?

Alcohol is not illegal in Belarus, but the country has been recognised as a world leader in alcohol consumption, with the average Belarusian drinking around 17.5 litres of alcohol per year. In 2010, Belarus had the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world, and while this has since decreased, it is still among the highest. The country has a strong drinking culture, with vodka being the most popular alcoholic beverage, often served at special occasions. The government has attempted to curb alcohol consumption with anti-alcohol measures and by raising the drinking age, but with limited success.

Alcohol consumption in Belarus is among the highest in the world

The oldest Belarusian alcoholic beverages were based on honey and beer, with grapes being a rarity due to only being grown on small vineyards of wealthy estates. As such, wine was used only in church rituals and imported wines were a luxury only the nobility could afford. Today, the most popular Belarusian liquor is vodka, which was first served in the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 15th century. Vodka is served on special occasions and is often flavoured with spices, buds, and nuts.

Belarus has acquired the experience and legislative foundation to implement effective alcohol control policies, and there have been three national anti-alcohol campaigns since 2000. The third campaign, which was launched in 2011, proved to be the most successful, leading to a decline in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related mortality. However, alcohol prices in Belarus are considerably lower than in neighbouring western countries, and alcohol prices tend to decrease before elections or during economic crises. This, along with the widespread availability of alcohol, has contributed to Belarus's high levels of alcohol consumption.

Belarus has considered ways to curb alcohol dependency

Alcohol consumption in Belarus has been a long-standing issue. In 2014, the country topped the World Health Organisation's report on alcohol consumption, with an average consumption of 17.5 litres of alcohol per person per year. This is significantly higher than the global average of 6.2 to 6.5 litres. The situation is especially dire in rural areas, where practically all inhabitants drink, irrespective of the time of day.

Recognising the detrimental impact of alcohol on its citizens' health and well-being, the Belarusian government has considered and implemented various measures to curb alcohol dependency. Here are some of the approaches they have explored:

Raising the drinking age: One proposed solution is to increase the drinking age from 18 to 20 or 21 years old. This aligns with the efforts of neighbouring countries like Lithuania, which raised its drinking age to 20. If Belarus were to raise the drinking age to 21, it would have the highest minimum drinking age in Europe, joining a small group of predominantly Muslim countries and the United States.

Reducing points of sale: The Belarusian government is considering reducing the number of places allowed to sell alcoholic beverages. This includes imposing curfews on stores selling alcohol and restricting the sale of alcohol at gas stations. The Interior Ministry has highlighted the high concentration of alcohol retailers in Belarus, with one shop for every 600 people, compared to one per 4,500 people in Norway and Sweden.

Limiting sale hours: Another strategy under consideration is to restrict the hours during which alcohol can be purchased. The government is exploring options such as banning alcohol sales between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., or 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. This mirrors the approach taken by Russia's Zabaikalsky Krai region, which banned alcohol sales after 8 p.m.

Increasing alcohol prices: Experts suggest that increasing the price of cheap wines and strong spirits could be an effective strategy to reduce alcoholism. However, this approach may be challenging due to the economic benefits the state derives from alcohol sales and the potential for alcohol-dependent individuals to turn to stronger, surrogate alcohols.

Addressing illegal alcohol production: Belarus also faces challenges with illegal alcohol production, particularly in rural areas. The discovery of over 100 litres of moonshine and 21 tonnes of brew in Maladziechna in 2017 underscores the magnitude of this issue.

Online voting system: The Belarusian Interior Ministry has introduced an online voting system to gather public opinion on the proposed restrictions. The results of this survey will be considered in finalising the government's draft anti-alcohol law.

Anti-alcohol programmes: In the past, the government has attempted to establish programmes for the prevention of alcoholism and the rehabilitation of alcoholics. However, these efforts have been met with limited success due to the influence of the alcohol lobby and the government's own encouragement of alcohol sales.

While Belarus has implemented and considered various measures to curb alcohol dependency, it continues to grapple with the social and economic consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.

Alcohol abuse has caused severe social problems in Belarus

The social problems caused by alcohol abuse in Belarus are wide-ranging and severe. Alcohol abuse has been linked to a sharp decline in average income and quality of life, with alcoholism and drunkenness imposing significant economic costs on the country. Alcohol abuse also has adverse health consequences, with alcohol addiction and toxic effects on organs and systems being significant risks of regular drinking. Alcohol intoxication weakens personal safety, as it is linked to violence and other injuries. Alcohol abuse has been identified as a major cause of crime in Belarus, with 25% of all crimes committed by intoxicated individuals, and this number rises to 70-80% for serious crimes such as murder and robbery. Alcohol is also a leading cause of suicide and is a significant factor in the country's high divorce rate.

The prevalence of alcohol abuse in Belarus has led to a variety of social issues, including a high number of orphans and a decline in quality of life. The country's Interior Ministry has reported that alcohol abuse plays a significant role in many social incidents and events, with one-time injuries and loss of profit being common consequences. The widespread consumption of alcohol in Belarus has also been linked to political and social manipulation, with the government using the sale of cheap alcohol to guarantee loyalty and support and to minimise social discontent.

The Belarusian government has attempted to address the country's alcohol problem by implementing an anti-alcohol programme that restricts sales and advertisements. However, these efforts have been hindered by the strong alcohol lobby and the government's desire to profit from alcohol sales. The availability of alcohol in Belarus remains high, with alcohol sold at any time in most stores and petrol stations, and the prices of alcohol have remained relatively stable, even during economic crises and inflation.

Belarus has a high number of illegal alcohol production cases

Alcohol is not illegal in Belarus, but the country has been recognised as a world leader in alcohol consumption. Belarusians can buy alcohol at any time in any store and at petrol stations. The country's Health Ministry reported that nearly 2% of Belarus's 9.5 million citizens were either diagnosed as alcoholics or suffering from alcohol-related psychosis in 2016. Alcohol abuse also played a major role in Belarus being cited as one of the four unhealthiest countries in the world.

The availability of alcohol exacerbates the country's alcohol problem. Alcohol prices in Belarus are considerably lower than in neighbouring western countries. Alcohol prices also tend to decrease right before elections or during economic crises. Belarusians can buy alcohol at any time in any store, and at petrol stations. In contrast, in Lithuania, alcohol can only be sold from 10 am to 10 pm, and in Sweden, alcohol stronger than 3.5% is only available at one government-controlled chain and can only be purchased until 7 pm.

The Belarusian government has attempted to combat the alcoholisation of Belarus while still profiting from alcohol sales. In 2011, the government introduced an anti-alcohol programme that restricted sales and advertising. However, alcohol producers later persuaded the government not to ban the sale of cheap 'wine' (Charnila), one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in Belarus.

The government has considered various measures to curb alcohol consumption, including raising the drinking age, reducing the number of places allowed to sell alcoholic beverages, and imposing curfews on stores that sell alcohol.

Alcohol prices in Belarus are considerably lower than in neighbouring countries

The relatively low cost of alcohol in Belarus is due in part to inconsistent alcohol control policies and the influence of the 'vodka lobby', which has ensured that vodka remains widely available and affordable. Vodka is the most popular alcoholic drink in Belarus and is often served on special occasions. In addition, the Belarusian government has been accused of using cheap alcohol as a tool to neutralise activism and numb national consciousness, guaranteeing itself more loyalty and support by decreasing alcohol prices.

Furthermore, Belarus has a very high concentration of stores that sell alcohol. There is one such shop for every 600 Belarusians, compared to one store for every 4,500 people in Norway and Sweden. The availability of alcohol, combined with its low cost, has contributed to Belarus's alcohol problem. Belarusians can buy alcohol at any time in any store and at petrol stations.

While the Belarusian government has introduced some measures to curb alcohol consumption, such as restricting sales and advertisement, these efforts have been inadequate. For example, alcohol prices tend to decrease before elections or during economic crises. Additionally, alcohol producers have successfully lobbied the government to prevent certain measures from being implemented, such as the ban on the sale of cheap 'wine'.

The experience of neighbouring countries, such as Russia, proves that increasing the price of alcohol could help decrease alcoholism in Belarus. However, there are concerns that restricting access to alcohol could lead alcohol-dependent individuals to turn to stronger, surrogate alcohols.

Frequently asked questions