Moscow, May 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) In a country known for its hard drinking habits that President Dmitry Medvedev once termed a “national disaster”, there is a move now to curb it. In a first step, authorities in the Russian capital intend to drastically reduce the number of alcohol stores and impose stiff fines on drinking in public places.

A draft plan on the Moscow government‘s website has revealed it.

The document, prepared by the city’s economic policy and urban development department, proposes cutting the number of these stores by 90 percent and gradually reducing the number of alcohol trade licences by 20 percent annually until 2015.

The strategy also envisages tripling penalties for drinking in public places, including consumption of beer and other low-alcohol beverages.

Seventy-six percent of Russians drink regularly. Alcohol kills 75,000 people a year directly, and many more die of related health problems. Statistics show Russians start drinking at an average age of 14.

In August 2009, President Medvedev called the drinking epidemic a “national disaster” and instructed the government to work out measures to fight alcohol abuse.

Per capita consumption of alcohol in Russia stands at 17 litres of pure ethanol a year, compared to the maximum of eight litres recommended by the World Health Organisation.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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MOSCOW, May 5 (UPI) — Russian authorities said a car carrying suspects in Thursday bombings in the Russian North Caucasus region has been spotted on surveillance cameras near Moscow.

The two bomb attacks in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan killed 13 people and injured more than 100, RIA Novosti said.

Investigators fear there could be attacks during the May holidays in Moscow, when there will be several large political rallies, including President-elect Vladimir Putin’s inauguration Monday and the Victory Day parade Wednesday, RIA Novosti said.

The car carrying suspects in Thursday bombings, a VAZ 21140 with Dagestan-region license plates, was spotted by surveillance cameras April 28 on Don Highway south of Moscow and on the Dmitrovskoye Highway north of the capital, a law enforcement source told LifeNews.

The source said the suspects in the Dagestan bombings were believed to be part of the Makhachkala gang headed by Gusein Mamayev. Dagestan authorities said they had determined Mamayev and three others were behind Thursday’s attacks.

In the attacks, a Mitsubishi car packed with explosives was blown up near a police station in Makhachkala, the capital city of the republic of Dagestan, and another car bomb exploded as law enforcement officers arrived to investigate the first attack.

Dagestan has become the base of the Islamic insurgency in Russia’s North Caucasus.

Moscow, May 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Moscow authorities have plans to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs by 2014, besides raising penalties for drinking alcohol in public places.

A draft plan published on the city’s department of economic policy and development’s website has revealed.

“The ban on smoking in public places will be introduced gradually. In 2012, a total ban on smoking is planned in educational and healthcare facilities, places of culture, state offices and public transportation. In 2013-2014 the ban will be extended to all workplaces, pubs and restaurants,” it said.

In addition, 20 percent fewer licences to sell alcohol will be granted in 2012-2014.

It is also expected to increase the fine for drinking alcoholic beverages, including beer, in public places to 1,000 rubles (about $35) from 100-300 rubles currently.

More adults smoke in Russia than in any other heavy-smoking country in the world, according to the World Health Organisation report released last year.

Nearly 40 percent of the country’s 143-million-strong population were smokers, it said.

Smoking-related diseases kill as many as 350,000-500,000 Russians every year, say officials.

In 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had approved a government anti-smoking programme which aims to reduce the number of adult smokers 25 percent by 2015.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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The Moscow police have stepped up security across the city in preparation for the opposition March of Millions rally on May 6 and inauguration of President Vladimir Putin on May 7, as well as the May 9 Victory Day parade.

“Due to the political and sports events and the May holidays, the number of police on duty has been increased,” a police source told RIA Novosti.

Moscow city authorities agreed on Thursday to permit the May 6 March of Millions protest, including a march from Kaluzhskaya Square and a demonstration on Bolotnaya Square. The authorities have warned those planning unsanctioned protests that they will not be tolerated.

A day ahead of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as Russian president on May 7, his All-Russia People’s Front public movement will hold a mass rally dedicated to the first anniversary of its establishment, the organization’s website said.

Several police buses are currently parked near Revolution Square in central Moscow, and OMON riot police vehicles are on duty near the Maly Theater. Other security service trucks are parked near the Moscow Mayor’s administration building, and ten others are located at Pushkin Square, which has been the scene of several opposition rallies in the last six months.

Metal barriers have been placed along Tverskaya Street, the main thoroughfare in downtown Moscow, which will be the route of the traditional May 9 Victory Parade. Large military vehicles including tanks, missile launchers and heavy guns will take part in the parade, and military aircraft will fly overhead.