DUSHANBE, 30.11.2020 (NIAT Khovar) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has published the results of a study on alcohol consumption for 2020. The organization’s global report provides figures for 189 countries. In it, Tajikistan occupies 130th place.

According to the study, the world’s top 10 most drinking countries as of 2020 are Moldova, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Germany, Nigeria, Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The world’s top 10 most non – drinking countries are Somalia, Mauritania, Libya, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan.

“The CIS [members] are ‘pioneers’ in the implementation of certain alcohol policy measures, such as establishing a minimum unit cost of alcohol or a complete ban on the marketing of alcoholic products,” said WHO representative Nino Berdzuli, speaking on the cost-effective measures to combat alcoholism.

Tajikistan has also modified its advertising policy on alcohol and cigarettes. Manufacturers of alcohol and tobacco products cannot advertise their products in any media outlet, including on TV and radio. Additionally, such companies cannot sponsor sports or information events for self-promotion purposes.

Currently, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased at large retail outlets. Since 2018, the government has been increasing the excise taxes on alcoholic products (including beer and even non-alcoholic beer) and ethyl alcohol.