Essay --

According to Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president, the average Russian drinks 18 liters (equivalent to 38 pints) of strictly vodka each year. Vodka is Russia’s favored drink and has a strong Russian history. Although vodka has provided a large issue to the economy due to the abuse of the substance, there are many good outcomes from the production of it with respect to jobs and tax revenue. The Russian government has tired to enforce multiple different ways of curbing the vodka consumption from the citizens, but they do not last. Russia has a large distribution of vodka around the world and the income keeps many Russians employed. For Russia, vodka is an occupation, pleasure and a devil, and a way of life. Vodka was introduced to Russia in the late 14th century and was known as the water of life. In 1386, an ambassador introduced the first vodka to the Grand Duke Dmitri Donskoy. The vodka was obtained by the purification of grape must and was thought of as a concentrate and a â€Å"spirit† of wine. This was the origination of other countries’ understanding of vodka being a spirit. The first vodka recipe ever made was by a Russian monk named Isidore in Moscow. He associated the drink as a â€Å"bread wine† unless it was a strong batch; in this case it would be known as â€Å"burning wine†. The word vodka was already being used at the time for herbal tinctures (an alcoholic extract from a plant or animal). The word was being used, but was not officially in writing. The liquid was officially named vodka after Empress Elizabeth used it in writing to regulate vodka distilleries on June 8th, 1751 (Wikipedia). With the creation of vodka, the countrywide struggle with alcoholism was established. The alcohol has caused the destruction of families,... ...ve their vodka not only for the taste and affects, but also to provide many of them with a way to have an income and place food on the table for their families. The consumption of vodka in Russia is among the highest in the world. Along with the consumption, Russia can be credited among the highest in the world for vodka production and sales. Alcoholism in Russia has become a large problem that needs to be taken care of. Political Leaders in Russia are devising ways to put a restraint on the amount of alcohol consumed by citizens. The outstanding demand for vodka in Russia has greatly helped the economy to thrive in business for families, a strong market, and state tax revenue. The decrease in consumption of alcohol will lower the efficiency of the market for vodka. Is the Russian government more worried about its’ citizens well being, or an efficient market.