Demographic Crisis

" I heard about that a startling statistics 50% of deaths in one country -- from alcohol 50% where we're talking Russia. The problem getting worse and worse. Dana Lewis -- and lives in Moscow. Date I knew was. And we heard it was bad I get this bad."

" Well -- try to get this bad because the government simply hasn't dealt with it as it has in other countries -- taxation I'll tell you a little bit more about that but -- you about a million Russians are dying each year. From smoking and drinking the population's getting worse. But the problem is getting worse the population is shrinking. And it is largely because the population is smoking and drinking themselves to that listen to some of the numbers -- mean they are staggering the average Russian mail list to only sixty. Dying fifteen years before his American counterpart women here live. Thirteen years less than American women average Russian adult here drinks fifteen bottles of vodka a year fifty. In Moscow we were checking this morning you can buy a bottle of beer is cheaper than a bottle of water on the streets cigarettes -- for thirty cents a pack. The day country's population and a 141 million has shrunk by twelve million in fifteen years annual deaths from what -- are staggering."

" The number of -- now we've come this exact figure. He's. Approximately six from six to 700000. -- so this is inmates affected over. Demographic crisis we shall -- here and he's -- they're talking about which is this thing be. Future of the country in fact."

" A new series of TV commercials against drinking and smoking sends the message take care of yourself. Which critics say it's hardly what's needed to tackle this health crisis. Prime minister Vladimir Putin who has appeared healthy and projecting a mentally strong image in his summer vacation videos has refused to follow recommendations. To increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol do. To discourage consumption should have what we ask health officials about that guys. They say it's because the Kremlin fears unrest if they increase taxes and according to one health official and Kremlin instead. Certain chooses to keep the population quote. Pacified and that that's the -- back here this morning."

" Dana Lewis live in Moscow that's extraordinary that a bottle of beer is his -- that a bottle of water."