Alcoholism is still one of the Main Death Courses in Tuva

Death rate from alcohol intoxications is still very high in Tuva in spite of the measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic. Since the beginning of the year 65 people have already died of vodka and its surrogates. The introduced rigid state control in the vodka trading turn-over made it impossible to sell unlicensed alcoholic drinks among which many were of very low quality - it was common practice in the past. Still poor results are yielded in fighting so-to speak 'address sales' i.e.illegal selling surrogate vodka at a low price in some private houses known to their customers.