Russia, known as one of the world's most alcohol-consuming countries, is making tremendous progress in fighting alcohol, with a life expectancy of 68 years for men and 78 years for women, according to a WHO study.
According to the study, alcohol consumption in Russia fell between 2003 and 2016 by 43%, the organization said Monday, at the same time, the average age in Russia has risen dramatically.
"What is happening here is the destruction of Russia's stereotypes," said FAO expert Carina Ferreira Borges, referring to Russia's reputation for being one of the world's largest wine consumers.
According to the study data, the per capita consumption of alcohol in Russia did not exceed 11.7 liters per year in 2016, compared to 13.4 liters in Germany, for example. Each pint of beer contains about 20 grams of alcohol.
"The data are very clear and are the result of many political initiatives," Ferreira Borges told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Although the alcohol consumption rate in Russia remains one of the highest in the world, the organization may become a role model globally in combating the high death rate from alcohol use, the WHO expert said.
The researcher stressed that the Russian model clearly demonstrated the relationship between the adoption of a strict policy against alcohol and high age.
The average age in Russia has reached a historical level, with 68 years for men and 78 years for women, the authors said.
Ferreira Borges said the data sets analyzed by the study authors once again confirmed the fatal consequences of alcohol consumption.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long maintained that alcohol is a cause of cancer, heart disease and circulation.
The organization also ranks alcohol-related accidents and murders among the serious consequences of alcohol consumption.