Give Me Vodka or Give Me Death

12/04/2006 Mises Wire Mises.org

Last year Russian President Putin called for a state monopoly on vodka, writes Mihai Sarbu, to address what many consider a serious health crisis. He estimated that some 40,000 deaths annually can be attributed to various illegal products sold as vodka. Now, in late 2006, the situation is even grimmer. The local black market is alive and well. Authorities are constantly battling the illegal production of vodka, while the quality of this counterfeit product plummets ever lower. Illegal traders are putting additives in drinks to make them stronger and cheaper, but the result is often lethal. These additives may include cleaners, car-window deicers, and chemicals used for removing rust. FULL ARTICLE

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