Putin Wages War on Vodka as Lifestyle Death Toll Mounts

Vladimir Putin is waging the biggest public health drive since former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev failed to wean his country off alcohol abuse with a crackdown on tobacco and drink.

An anti-tobacco law submitted to parliament yesterday will ban smoking in public places, advertising and kiosk sales. That follows measures to curb the world’s fourth-highest alcohol consumption per capita with tax increases and by limiting trade.