The crystal crackle of a glass: how to deal with "nalivayki" in Russia
The regions that have imposed bans on "bulk carriers" or restrictive measures regarding their work have summed up the first results of such decisions at the request of Izvestia. Thus, in Karelia, a decrease in alcohol consumption and a decrease in the number of detected cases of addiction syndrome were reported. And in the Tula region, a reduction in alcohol-related deaths was recorded. At the same time, regions and experts are already sounding the alarm — small drinking establishments within walking distance have begun to rapidly disguise themselves as catering outlets. In this regard, the deputies propose at the federal level to develop criteria that would not allow the "nalivayki" to hide.
Is there any effect from the fight against "nalivayki"
Legislation to combat "bulk carriers" began to operate in February 2024. Then the regional authorities were given the right to impose their own restrictions on the sale of alcohol, for example, to limit the time of sale of such products in catering outlets located in apartment buildings and adjacent territories.
By the end of 2024, 63 subjects had introduced such measures, but in 36 of them they began to operate only in 2025. According to Izvestia estimates based on Rosstat data, in 2024, the number of people diagnosed with alcoholism for the first time decreased by 5% compared to 2023: 63.5 thousand people were diagnosed against 67 thousand.
At the same time, the long—term dynamics also remains downward: over the past ten years, the indicator has decreased by 39% - from 103.6 thousand cases in 2015 to 63.5 thousand in 2024.
By the beginning of 2025, measures against "bulk carriers" were already in effect in 71 subjects of the Russian Federation. At the same time, even before the law came into force, eight regions (Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, Kalmykia, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Ingushetia, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Primorsky Krai) imposed a complete ban on such establishments. And 12 more subjects introduced restrictive measures last year.
However, it is still difficult to assess whether such measures have had an impact on the results of 2025: Rosstat data will be published only in the second half of 2026. Therefore, Izvestia has requested all ministries of health of the subjects where similar measures have been introduced. As can be seen from the answers, regions use different indicators to assess effectiveness.
So, in Karelia, where the work of "bulk carriers" was restricted from September 2024, alcohol consumption per capita decreased by 16% until the beginning of 2025. And by March 2026 - by another 4%. In two years, the number of points of sale of such products decreased by 8%, and the volume of sales decreased by 9%.
"Since 2024, there has been a decrease of more than 10% in the number of people who have been diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome for the first time, as well as a decrease in the number of those who are under the medical supervision of a narcologist," the Ministry of Health of Karelia reported.
In 2025, the number of registered alcoholic psychoses in Chuvashia decreased by 9.8% compared to 2024, the regional Ministry of Health said. And the level of alcohol consumption per capita increased by 6.7%. In the Tula Region, alcohol-related deaths decreased by 11% in 2025.
In the Kaluga Region, the level of alcohol consumption per capita in January 2026 decreased by 26.6% compared to the same period in 2025.
At the end of April, the governor of the Vologda Region, Georgy Filimonov, announced that all 125 points had been closed in the region. At the end of May 2025, he stated that the anti-alcohol policy implemented since 2024 had reduced the volume of consumption of such beverages in the region by 20%.
Yakutia also reported on the results of the fight against "nalivayki". According to Georgy Gavrilev, Deputy Mayor of Yakutsk, 66 so-called fake cafes were closed in the city, and alcohol consumption decreased by 10%.
How are the "nalivayki" disguised?
Starting from March 1, 2026, restrictions on the retail sale of alcohol came into force in the Altai Republic, which led to the closure of "filling stations" in courtyards.
"It is fundamentally important to prevent the alcohol trade from disappearing into the shadows and the emergence of illegal distribution points for surrogate products. The response to such violations will be prompt and tough," the head of the region, Andrei Turchak, wrote on the Telegram channel on March 3.
However, nalivayki still continued to work, he said on April 21.
"(Such alcohol sales outlets. — Editor's note) are designed as a catering service, they set up a couple of tables, but in fact they are "watering cans" with 24/7 operation. In many similar establishments, there is only alcohol on the menu, no cuisine and no real catering," he wrote. — According to the Regional Management Center, the number of complaints from residents is growing. Noise, fights, riots."
Restrictive measures on the sale of alcohol in small establishments are useful if we are not talking about ordinary catering, but about night outlets hiding behind the sign of a cafe or bar, Alexander Yakubovsky, a member of the State Duma Committee on Construction and Housing and Communal Services, told Izvestia.
— The main effect is not a ban for the sake of a ban. The task (of such measures — Ed.) is to remove from houses and yards a constant source of night noise, conflicts, unsanitary conditions, alcohol trafficking and tension for residents. For people who live above or near such establishments, this is not an abstract topic, but a matter of safety and a normal life," the deputy noted.
But he urged to understand the possible negative consequences of bans.
— If you simply close the legal outlets and do not engage in control, some of the demand may go into illegal circulation — moonshine, surrogate, sale "from under the floor." Therefore, prohibitive measures should be combined with the work of the police, Rospotrebnadzor, licensing authorities, the tax service, control through the USAIS and a quick response to residents' appeals," he said.
In his opinion, the most reasonable approach is not a total ban, but a clear separation.
— There is a restaurant, cafe or bar that really works as a catering service: kitchen, seating, sanitary standards, separate entrance, no takeout at night, order around the premises, — he said. — And there is a pseudo—catering - in fact, it is an all-night alcohol store in an apartment building. The second format must be dealt with harshly.
He noted that for this, at the federal level, it is necessary to establish uniform minimum criteria by which an institution can be considered a full-fledged catering facility, and not a "filling station." This may apply to the area, kitchen, operating mode, separate entrance, sanitary condition, prohibition of overnight takeaway sales, liability for repeated violations and the procedure for license suspension.
The phenomenon of "pouring" is a consequence of regulatory asymmetry: shops are limited in the night sale of alcohol, while catering establishments are not, according to the head of the Popular Front. Analytics" by Olga Pozdnyakova.
"Business has mastered this loophole: a pair of tables turns a retail outlet into a pseudo—cafe with all the "privileges" that follow," she told Izvestia.
According to her, the first reaction to total bans is usually the purchase of alcohol in a larger volume than previously purchased, they just buy it less often. Illegal schemes are also possible, such as ordering from taxi drivers and deliverymen, via Telegram bots.
"Along with the restrictions, work should also be carried out to develop leisure infrastructure and strictly curb the activities of illegal channels," the expert believes. — The experience of other countries shows that the complication of the purchase process gradually reduces alcohol consumption.
What measures will help reduce the incidence of alcoholism?
People with addiction are practically not affected by bans on "drinking" — they will find a place to drink anyway, psychiatrist Igor Lazarev told Izvestia.
"Apart from the liquor stores, there are shops selling alcohol everywhere," he pointed out.
However, bans on such outlets or restrictions on their operation are aimed at those who do not have addiction, he noted.
— For prevention, it is necessary to explain to people that there are other ways of leisure. And those who are already addicted should have access to drug treatment," the doctor said.
Mikhail Drobizhev, a psychiatrist and expert at the Research Institute of Functional Nutrition, said that alcoholism as a mental disorder is not treated by the "dry" law.
— Prohibitions will not work on such people, they will find something to drink anyway. These laws cannot affect the incidence rate," he told Izvestia.
According to him, restrictive and prohibitive measures can have an effect on moderate drinkers.
Mikhail Drobizhev attributed the improvement of living standards, the popularization of a healthy lifestyle, as well as the creation and development of sobriety societies to the "medical" measures of state policy that can reduce the incidence of alcoholism.
"In particular, it is necessary to inform the population about the early signs of the disease and the possibilities of its treatment," he said. — Such measures also include the development of drug treatment services, their accessibility and destigmatization.
He also stressed the need to support scientific research aimed at studying the causes of alcohol dependence, and also suggested encouraging medical services to more actively identify risk groups and promptly refer such patients to specialized medical organizations.
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