Vodka consumption shortens the lives of Russian men

Vodka consumption shortens the lives of Russian men

06/04/2014

According to a study, the drinking habits of Russian men provide for a low life expectancy. The risk of death from excessive vodka consumption is therefore 20 percent for some people.

At least half a liter of vodka per week
As the „pharmacy magazine“ (4/2014 A) reported that the drinking habits of Russian men are the main reason for their low life expectancy, according to one study. The health magazine relies on a long-term study of 151,000 men. Thus, Russian men have an average life expectancy of almost 65 years. In international comparison, this is shockingly low. For example, men in Germany are about 77 years old on average. According to her, 19 percent of Russian men drink at least half a liter of vodka weekly.

Vodka death risk is 20 percent for some people
Later, the analysis of the death data would have shown that the amount of alcohol increases the risk of not surviving the next 20 years. For example, the risk of death for 35- to 54-year-olds who drink between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of vodka per week is said to be 20 percent. The research team led by Professor David Zaridze from the Russian Cancer Research Center in Moscow had their results months ago in the journal „The Lancet“ released. The scientists wrote then: „This large prospective study provides further evidence that vodka is one of the major causes of the high risk of premature death of Russian adults.“

Efficient countermeasures are missing in Russia
The problem has long been known, but so far there are no effective measures to curb alcohol consumption in Russia. The national drink vodka belongs there almost to the everyday life and is usually consumed from normal drinking glasses (0.2 liter). The tightened alcohol controls implemented in 2006 would have produced only a minor effect. In Gorbachev's time, restrictive approaches had succeeded in reducing alcohol consumption by 25 percent, but in the coming years vodka consumption skyrocketed again. As a result, the number of deaths of young men moved up again. Again, the policy would be required to take countermeasures. (Ad)

Image: J.Bredehorn