May 7, 1985
The USSR Council of Ministers adopted a resolution "On measures to combat drunkenness and alcoholism and eradicate moonshining." Among the measures: reducing the production of alcoholic beverages, the number of places and times of their sale.
A passenger got off the bus near a liquor store:
- Who's last?
- You left early: the last one is at the next stop.
By the early 1980s, it was clear that something had to be done about the rampant alcoholism of the working class. While before the revolution, alcohol consumption in Russia hadn't exceeded 5 liters per person per year, by 1984, that figure had reached 10,5 liters. Not counting moonshine, which accounted for a full 14 liters.
Drinking plain vodka, even straight from the bottle, is nothing but a languor and a sense of vanity. Mixing vodka with cologne is a certain whim, but it's devoid of any pathos. But drinking a glass of "Canaan Balsam"—that's whim, idea, pathos, and, on top of that, a metaphysical allusion ("Moscow-Petushki").
From 1980 to 1984, sales of hard liquor declined, but not dramatically—from 303 to 296 million decaliters per year. Meanwhile, wine and beer sales grew. In 1985, the government decided not to be too coy with the drinking population and sharply reduced production and sales of everything. Thus, in 1985, 199 million decaliters of absolute alcohol were produced, compared to 93 million in 1987. Vodka prices increased from 4.70 rubles in 1984 to 9.10 rubles in 1986.
There were 3, but now there are 5 - we'll take it again anyway!
Even if it’s 8, we still won’t stop drinking!
Tell Ilyich that we can handle 10,
Well, if it’s 25, we’ll take the Winter Palace again!
Stores sold alcohol from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Alcohol-free weddings were promoted. Vineyards were cut down. Denatured alcohol consumption increased.
In a perfume shop, two people approach the saleswoman:
— We would like two Triples and one Lily of the Valley, please.
— They should have already taken three “Triples.”
- What are you saying? There's a lady with us!
Ultimately, the anti-alcohol campaign failed to solve the problem of drunkenness. However, it hit the planned economy hard, depriving the state of a significant source of revenue. According to some estimates, it cost the country 100 billion rubles.
