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To limit the consumption of alcohol periodically try in different countries. And various measures are being taken for this: from the introduction of “sobriety days” to a complete ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.
The effectiveness of Prohibition is questionable. Along with the positive consequences of the ban in the form of a decrease in the level of spontaneous crime, an increase in labor productivity and life expectancy, strengthening intra-family ties, etc., there are always negative ones: the flourishing of smuggling, fraud, clandestine moonshining, and the frequency of poisoning with surrogates.
The first half of the XNUMXth century is considered the most radical period in the fight against drunkenness. It was marked by the introduction of dry law in the Russian Empire, the USA and the Scandinavian countries. Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign also went down in history, the result of which was the destruction of huge plantations of valuable vineyards and a surge of discontent among ordinary people.
Prohibition in the Russian Empire and the USSR
The first attempts to combat the main “Russian vice” were made in pre-Soviet times.
Original experiments in this area were carried out by Peter the Great, who “awarded” drinkers with a cast-iron medal “For drunkenness”. More radical measures were taken by Nicholas II, who issued an anti-alcohol decree on the eve of the World War – in 1914. In order to realize his plan, the emperor had to overcome the resistance of the Council of Ministers and even dismiss those who disagreed.
The ban affected primarily the peasantry and other illiterate strata, since the sale of strong alcohol was preserved in elite restaurants. Nevertheless, the main goal was achieved: alcohol consumption per capita was reduced by almost 10 times.
As a result, the percentage of deaths from alcoholism and its other consequences has decreased: mental illness, suicide, hooliganism. At the same time, the number of poisonings with denatured alcohol and cases of circumvention of the law has increased.
As for the exact figures, in 1913 per inhabitant there were 4,7 liters of consumption of high-grade products per year, in 1915 – only 0,2 liters, and in 1925 (already after the abolition of the ban) – about 1 liter. However, it should be borne in mind that we are talking only about officially sold alcohol: the amount of drunk moonshine and surrogates is not taken into account.
The Soviet authorities initially supported the anti-alcohol policy of Nicholas II. Moreover, for the production and sale of strong drinks, a severe punishment was established: a 5-year prison sentence with confiscation of property. However, in the 1920s, the authorities softened: alcohol production and trade were completely restored. The people called vodka produced during this period “rykovka” in honor of the chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars, who approved the corresponding resolution.
In subsequent years, alcohol consumption in the country continuously increased, reaching by the beginning of the 80s threatening numbers: 20 liters per capita per year.
According to doctors, after 25 liters, the inevitable self-destruction of the nation begins.
In order to prevent catastrophic consequences, in 1985 a “dry law” was introduced in the USSR, which lasted only 2 years. The sale of alcohol during this period was carried out in strictly allotted hours: from 14 to 19.
The period of a large-scale anti-alcohol campaign was remembered by Soviet residents:
Huge lines, crush and fights at liquor stores (they say that for some buyers, going for a bottle has become fatal).
Mass absenteeism of work and study in order to acquire the coveted liters.
“Sober” weddings with teapots filled with vodka.
Cutting down rare grape varieties in the Crimea, Moldova and the Caucasus.
The flourishing of home brewing and the use of alcohol-containing liquids unsuitable for food.
Numerous jokes about Gorbachev and Prohibition.
This would all be funny if it weren’t so sad. The Soviet people did not stop drinking, replacing “vodka” and “talk” with surrogates and technical liquids (lacquer, cologne, denatured alcohol, varnish and other poisons).
The fight against drunkenness in modern Russia
Anti-alcohol activities in the post-Soviet territory are still underway. But on a smaller scale. So in some regions of the Russian Federation Days of sobriety and bans on the sale of alcohol at night are regularly practiced. The corresponding bill has been in force since 2013, for example, in Dagestan, since 2019 – in the Republic of Bashkiria.
The most drastic measures to combat drunkenness have been taken in Chechnya, where since 2016 they have practically not been drinking alcohol. You can buy it only at a few points during strictly allotted hours. A partial ban on the sale of alcohol exists in Ingushetia and Yakutia. It is possible that the initiative will be supported in other regions of the country.
Similar measures are being taken in neighboring Belarus, where Sobriety Days are held during graduations and “last bells”, as well as on other dates chosen by local governments.
Prohibition in the USA
The American anti-alcohol campaign is fanned by the greatest number of myths, rumors, legends and persistent gangster aura. It is curious that only the Prohibition, which was in force in the 1920s, went down in history, although the fight against drunkenness in the United States began at the beginning of the 1846th century. In particular, from 1855 to 13, the corresponding restrictions were in effect in XNUMX states.
The Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which marked the beginning of Prohibition, went into effect in January 1920. It is noteworthy that Thomas Woodrow Wilson, who was at the head of the country at that time, was against its implementation, but Congress managed to bypass the presidential veto and launch an anti-alcohol campaign. And not only her.
Prohibition in the United States provoked an active increase in crime and corruption and led to the formation of a whole network of gangster groups involved in the illegal trade in alcohol.
The most famous representative of the bootlegging clan was Al Capone, whose criminal fame has not yet faded. Mafiosi traded not only smuggling, but also pimping, gambling, and, oddly enough, charity.
Skirmishes and clashes between clans went down in history and gave rise to the plots of many famous films, such as Inglourious Basterds, Law of the Night, Only Girls in Jazz, etc.
The US government spent about 12 million dollars to fight bootlegging, but did not achieve serious results.
The negative consequences of the ban clearly outweighed the positive ones (reduction of injuries, disasters, hooliganism, improvement of the nation), so it is not surprising that in 1933 it was repealed, although not immediately in all states. Mississippi was the last to abolish alcohol restrictions in 1966.
Prohibition in Sweden, Finland and Norway
In the Scandinavian countries, the fight against drunkenness also began early: the first restrictions in Sweden were introduced as early as 1865. For a long time, the Gothenburg system operated here, allowing the sale of alcohol only to special joint-stock companies. Drinking establishments, before selling alcohol, had to provide visitors with a wide selection of hot dishes and fresh press. They could buy only 50 ml of alcohol.
In 1919, a card system began to operate in the country, which allowed people over the age of 21 to purchase up to 1 liters of alcohol once a month in a special store. Partially, it has been preserved in Sweden to this day: alcohol here can only be bought at certain outlets.
The Swedish experience was adopted by Norway and Finland. The first, in 1871, also introduced the Gothenburg system. However, it did not last long: the ban had to be lifted when Spain and France (the main suppliers of alcohol) threatened to refuse to purchase Norwegian fish if it was kept.
The second anti-alcohol campaign started in 1919. Finnish law banned the sale of anything containing more than 2% alcohol. The natural consequence of the restriction was the use of surrogates, the growth of smuggling and fraud.
By the 30s of the 5th century, the number of smuggling crimes in Finland had increased so much that it was decided to hold a national referendum. According to its results, the “dry law” was canceled on April 1932, 10.00 at XNUMX.
Other countries
In different periods, “dry law” was also practiced in Canada, Iceland, and Scotland. To this day, there are corresponding restrictions in many Islamic countries.
Relevance: 30.07.2019
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