In a new campaign against alcoholism, the Russia government rationalizes that alcohol’s availability is the main contributor to it’s abuse.

The average half litre of vodka now costs 2.95 USD in it’s country of origin. At first glance, this appears more reason for envy than alarm. But take into account that the average income of a russian citizen is roughly 60 USD (1,809 Rubles). Also assume that the average monthly wage for a Canadian is 3,300 CDN and a 500 mL bottle of vodka in Canada is 20 CDN, a realistic estimate. With a little math you can discover that the opportunity cost of a bottle vodka for the average Russian is over 8 times that of an average Canadian.

So if it’s not the availability of alcohol that causing it’s abuse. Why is the government raising it’s price? It seems it will have the same affect that Canada’s tax hike of cigarettes had on smokers. Those in need of their fix of nicotine didn’t change their habits. Likewise, Russian vodka users are already offering large percentages of their income towards alcohol. The price increase will only further squeeze budgets and decrease standard of living.

There’s a more complex reason behind alcohol abuse in Russia, and it needs to be fully understood before it can be effectively combated.