Mykola Tomenko: The Discussion concerning "Bad" and "Good" Alcoholic Beverages must be ceased
"Ukraine should adopt European standards of sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages", - stated Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opening the round table discussion dedicated to the Bill "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol, Cognac and Fruit Spirit, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Goods (re Restriction of Consumption and Sale of Low-Alcoholic Beverages)" (Reg. No.1171).
The Bill restricts consumption and sale of alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages.
The Bill includes low-alcoholic beverages and beer into the category of alcoholic beverages, and imposes a restriction on the consumption and sale of low-alcoholic beverages to the individuals under 18. Pursuant to the Bill, it is prohibited to sell and consume beer, alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages and tobacco goods in public places, especially, in the places of mass events.
On 5 March 2009, The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Bill at the First Reading (384 votes).
According to M.Tomenko, due to the financial support of certain delusions, Ukrainians still entertain the idea that low-alcoholic beverages, including beer, do no harm to the organism. "Young people of Ukraine have been convinced for the dozens of years that beer alcoholism does not exist in the country. Unfortunately, it is sufficient to listen to the doctors and parents to realize the absurdity of the formed delusion", - he stressed.
According to M.Tomenko, the Bill shall coordinate regulations of legislation on restriction of consumption and sale of beer and low-alcoholic beverages with the ones appertaining to the alcoholic beverages.
"Secondly, its task appertains to the safety of our citizens. These are the regulations appertaining to the restriction of consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages, including beer and low-alcoholic beverages, at public places", - he stated.
"As it is in any civilized country, glass containers should not be used during the mass events. We should prepare our citizens for EURO-2012, when the number of football fans will amount to hundreds of thousands in the cities-hosts".
Summing up, Mykola Tomenko stressed that everything had to be done to restore European standards of beer and low-alcoholic beverages consumption in Ukraine.