The Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Koshulynskyi has referred his draft law to amend the Law of Ukraine “On the state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl, cognac, and fruit alcohol, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products” (re retail sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products) (Reg. No. 1245) to regional and city councils for discussion by representatives of local communities and in the specialized committees.
R.Koshulynskyi noted that bodies of local self-government have always been and still remain the most close to the community. “They are to meet the basic needs of people and, thus, best know and understand their urgent life problems,” he added.
The Deputy Chairman of the Parliament expressed conviction that the Verkhovna Rada should always keep in touch with local communities. “Such communication is a necessary precondition for creating effective laws aimed at settling pressing problems of the Ukrainian society. People’s deputies of Ukraine should refer to the experience and needs of local communities while elaborating and adopting bills,” he stressed.
R.Koshulynskyi noted that lack of proper mechanisms significantly complicates the real influence of local self-government bodies on sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. He informed that the bill submitted, stipulates significant extension of powers of local self-government bodies in regard to regulation and control over the retail sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Particularly, it is suggested to provide municipal and village councils with the power to determine the number of licenses for retail sale of alcohol by quota one license per 10,000 residents and adopt the decision to sell such licenses at auction. Executive bodies of theses councils should issue respective licenses to the sole proprietors.
R.Koshulynskyi asked heads of local self-government bodies to consider his draft law in view of compliance with the interests of local community and make respective comments and suggestions in regard to possible ways of settling the problem.
Summing up, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed hope that his joint work with bodies of local self-government on this bill and any future-related bills will promote development of national legislation and be useful for society and the Ukrainian state.