Mykola Tomenko called for clearing off the Fashion for Alcohol in Ukraine
Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, called for clearing off the fashion for alcohol in Ukraine at the meeting "State and Problems of Implementation of the Law on Restriction of Consumption and Sale of Alcoholic, Low-Alcoholic Beverages, and Beer" held in the Parliament on Thursday, April 7.
The Law of Ukraine No1824-VI "On Amendments to the Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding restriction of Consumption and Sale of Beer and Low-Alcoholic Beverages" came into effect in February 2010. The given Law referred low-alcoholic beverages and beer to the category of alcoholic beverages. The Law extended restrictions regarding their sale and consumption.
According to the politician, when spring comes to Ukraine and the Easter fast draws to an end, a season of alcohol consumption will start. To prevent mass alcohol consumption in Ukraine, it is necessary to conduct elucidative work with the youth. People´s Deputies of Ukraine, leaders of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, State Service of Technical Regulation, State Service of Youth and Sports, city mayors and representatives of the local self-government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and mass media representatives were invited to the meeting. "We must inform all shop assistants and young people about the applicable legislation in Ukraine that restricts consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places and by people under 18", he stated.
Moreover, M. Tomenko drew attention of the city mayors and local self-government representatives to the legislative provision, whereby local self-government bodies in the respective administrative territories can ban or restrict sale of beer (except beer in plastic bottles), low-alcoholic beverages and tobacco goods during the mass events in villages, towns and cities.
The Deputy Chairman stated that life expectancy in Ukraine totals nearly 68 years. This figure for women comprises 74, 3 years (5-9 years lower than in the EU), for men 62,5 (9-12 years lower than in the EU), while the child mortality rate is 2,5 times more than in the EU.
In the result of the discussion, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament called for protecting public health. He deems necessary not only to fulfill the requirements of the laws, but also "to exert efforts to clear off the fashion for alcohol in Ukraine."