US states ban vodka to support Ukraine

The governors of a number of US states ordered the government to manage liquor stores to stop selling Russian-made vodka and alcoholic beverages in solidarity with the Ukrainian people after the Russian invasion of the neighboring country.

According to the New York Post, Utah Governor Spencer Cox became the latest over the weekend, instructing the state on Saturday to remove all Russian-branded products from the shelves of its retail stores.

In issuing the executive order, Cox joined the governors of New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania in making what is largely a symbolic gesture in support of embattled Ukraine, which was attacked by Russian military forces last week.

"We will do our part to repel the Russian invaders and stand with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine," Cox said.

He also said that Utah would review all state purchases to check for any Russian ties.

The boycott is unlikely to have an appreciable impact, as only 1.2 percent of US vodka imports came from Russia in the first half of 2021, according to the US Alcoholic Beverage Council, which tracks such data.

The group's data shows that Russian vodka accounted for just $18.5 million of the total $1.4 billion in vodka imports in the United States in 2021, which included $660 million from France.

Many of the Russian-style vodkas sold in the United States are already made in other countries, including the United States.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott urged all state liquor stores and restaurants to stop offering Russian-made products on a voluntary basis.

"Texas stands with Ukraine," he said in a message on Twitter.

Some Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, took similar steps last week, telling regional liquor stores to stop selling Russian-made brands.

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