From January 1, beer is classified as a strong alcohol, according to the law, which came into force from the start of the year.

Selling beer in small shops, kiosks, sized less than 50 m2 is banned now. There won’t be any possibility to buy beer at night, from 11 pm up to 8 am local time. Regions are authorized to apply additional time and place limits.

In 2013 the ban on selling cigarettes in small shops might be introduced as well.   

According to the Ministry of Economic Development the ban on selling beer and cigarettes may result in closing about 175 thousand shops and dismissing about 500 thousand people.