Beer is alcoholic

Beer is to be legally classified as an alcoholic drink in Russia for the first time.

It's part of the Kremlin's toughest anti-alcohol campaign since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Beer had been classified as a foodstuff which meant producers could avoid a crackdown on alcohol advertising and night-time sales.

But a new bill will abolish beer's special status, dragging Russian alcohol regulation into the 21st century.

The new law would restrict beer sales at night, ban its sale in or close to many public places such as schools, and limit cans and bottles to a maximum size of 0.33 litres.

Russia's beer consumption has more than tripled in the past 15 years, boosted by low prices, ready availability and lax regulation.

But with vodka remaining the national tipple, many Russians regard beer as a soft drink.

It's not uncommon to see men swigging a can of beer on their way to work or teenagers downing a lunchtime beer or two in the park.