MOSCOW, January 23 (RIA Novosti) - The death...

Deaths from alcohol poisoning are frequent in Russia and an average Russian drinks a record 17 liters of spirits a year, with some 2 billion liters of alcohol being consumed in Russia annually, according to Germany's Die Welt.

In 2006, a total of 26,457 Russians died from bootleg alcohol, a drop of 57.5%, year on year. "Consequently over two years deaths from alcohol poisoning have fallen 42.5%," the NAA said.

At the same time, the NAA said production of hard alcoholic drinks in Russia last year increased 10% probably due to the introduction in 2006 of Russia's Unified State Automated Information System (EGAIS) by the government which paralyzed the market, causing severe shortages of alcohol in retail outlets.

Russian officials are currently pushing for a state monopoly on alcohol sales.

However, critics have slammed the move, saying that a single excise duty on alcohol could trigger a 70% price hike for medicines in Russia and make illegal alcohol

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