Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet head of state, responsible for the most reviled and admired political act of the 80's -- the prohibition -- called on national television for the government to limit production and sales of liquor. Russians are way to drunk, apparently. According to Gorbachev, the nation "is dying out because of alcohol." During the last Soviet years, alcohol production reached the unprecedented levels of 14 liters per person. In 2008, it reached 17 liters (4.5 gallons) per person.

According to the World Health Organization, every second death in adults under 50 in Russia is a result of alcohol poisoning or chronic disease related to alcoholism.

Gorbachev launched the anti-alcohol campaign in 1986 by closing down most liquor stores and limiting per person vodka consumption to two bottles a month. The campaign turned out to be a failure, creating huge bootleg liquor industry and making some especially eager alcohol connoisseurs to drink perfume, eat toothpaste and consume other alcohol-containing liquids, barely fitted for a holiday table, such as window-washer fluid.

I think it's highly unlikely that the Russian government will embark on this "sobering" journey. What happens if the Russians sober up? God forbid, they will start watching the news and, even worse, start voting? Oh, just let them drink. Poehali.

Gorbachev talks about prohibition on national TV (in Russian)

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