alcohol consumption in russia and some aspects of public health

Context: the problem of alcohol misuse in russia is immense; but nonetheless there is a tendency to exaggerate it, which is evident for inside observers. such exaggeration tends to veil shortcomings of the health care system with responsibility shifted onto the patients, that is, self-inflicted diseases caused by excessive alcohol consumption. the aim of this report is to draw attention to the above-mentioned and other problems related to the alcohol consumption in russia, not clearly perceptible from the literature, e.g. toxicity of some legally sold alcoholic beverages. evidence acquisition: this report is based on a review of literature and observations by the author during the period 1970 - 2014. results: predictable increase of alcohol consumption after the anti-alcohol campaign facilitated the economical reforms of the early 1990s: workers and some intelligentsia did not oppose privatizations of state-owned enterprises partly due to their drunkenness, involvement in workplace theft and use of equipment for profit, which was often tolerated by the management at that and earlier time. conclusions: last time, a gradual change of the alcohol consumption pattern in russia has been noticed: less heavy binge drinking of vodka, fortified wine and surrogates; more moderate consumption of beer.