The problem of alcoholism indirectly affects more than one-third of respondents. Almost two-thirds of Russians would support an anti-alcohol campaign.

MOSCOW, September 11, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study devoted to alcohol addiction.

Alcoholism problem is critical for Russia (41% of Russians report to have friends or relatives who are alcohol addicts). Most of Russians do not remain indifferent when it comes to the attitudes towards alcohol addicts; the regulations that aim at reducing the alcohol consumption are considered to be too soft. A number of measures to prevent alcoholism abuse are getting increasingly popular among Russians.

Alcoholism is mainly perceived as a disease that needs medical treatment (45%). At the same time, about one-quarter of respondents (27%) think this is a social problem. Forty-one percent say that the measures the government undertakes to combat the problem are insufficient (the share of those who have alcohol addicts among friends or relatives is 47%); just 9% think those measures are excessive (35% say they are sufficient).

As to strategies aimed at preventing alcohol abuse, most of Russians support a ban on alcohol sales to individuals under the age of 21 (53%), a ban on alcohol advertising  (46% in 2017  versus 57% in 2009) and promotion of healthy lifestyle (48%) which has recently become much more important compared to 2005  (39%). Simultaneously, over the recent twelve years the share of those who opt for the introduction of criminal penalty for drinking and being in public under the influence of alcohol has decreased from 39% to 28%.

Least popular measures are increase of prices for alcohol products (18%) and introduction of complete ban on alcohol use (‘dry law’) (13%). Those respondents who have relatives or friends who are alcohol addicts support ‘targeted’ measures such as compulsory treatment (36%) or ban on morning sale of alcoholic drinks (35%).

Sixty-four percent of respondents would support a campaign to prevent alcohol abuse (over the recent ten years this share has not changed much).

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on August 3-4, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Results for the 2005-2009 studies are based on household surveys.

* In 2005-2006, this answer option was “ban on alcohol advertising”

** In 2005-2009, there was no this answer option

*** In 2005, there was no this answer option

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!