Russia's finance minister has urged his countrymen and women to support the country - by drinking and smoking more.
Alexei Kudrin called for increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol in a bid to boost the state's revenues, reports Metro.
"If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems," commented Kudrin.
"People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state."
Russia, noted for its high consumptions of both cigarettes and alcohol, has among the lowest duties on cigarettes in Europe.
In June, plans to double the excise duty on cigarettes from 250 roubles, roughly £5 per 1,000 cigarettes, to 590 roubles (£12.49) by 2013 were outlined.
The comments by the minister seem to contradict recent government moves to control Russia's excessive nature and improve its life expectancy rates.
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
that I had the balls to go to my second AA meeting, 7 years ago. I went alone. I had no intention of ever stopping drinking though.
for the courage to step outside my comfort zone occassionally
that my friend Gavin H. told his AA story with gobs of humility
that I am not in denial about my lack of knowledge regarding relationships; there's so much to learn and it's rarely fun
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
- Billy Graham
5 comments:
You are right, it is rarely fun.
I walked into my first Al-Anon meeting alone too. And the room was filled with women. But they all embraced me.
Relationships are a moving target with ever changing moods and expectations, the latter of which I don't have much of any more.
Yep--often funny, but rarely FUN.
What's FUN is that B-29 in yesterday
posting.
I decided and entered AA on my own also. I had to, it was my disease, and it needed to be my decision, and I will never regret that decision.......
I'm too dumbfounded by your news from Russia to take anything else in right now.
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