Ukraine: Most Ukrainians prefer drinking beer - poll

More than two-thirds of Ukrainians in varying degrees consume alcoholic beverages, and most of them prefer to drink beer and vodka, according to a survey conducted by Research & Branding Group.

According to the survey, 69% of Ukrainians consume alcoholic beverages, whereas the percentage of the country's residents who do not consume alcohol is 30%, Kyiv Post reported on February, 7.

The most popular alcoholic beverages are beer (preferred by 45% of Ukrainians who consume alcohol) and vodka (41%). Ukrainians also drink dry wine (23%), champagne (18%), cognac/brandy (14%) and fortified wines (12%).

Regarding measures to combat alcoholism, most Ukrainians approved of a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 18 (45%).

It is followed by health promotion in educational institutions (34%), a ban on alcohol advertising on television until 2300 (25%) and an increase in penalties for violating the law on the sale and consumption of alcohol (24%).

Respondents also strongly supported social advertising and a ban on drinking alcohol in public places (22%).

Restrictions on alcohol sale in terms of time (the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages only in the daytime) are supported by 14% of those polled, and an increase in the price of alcohol is backed by 12% of Ukrainians. Equating beer and low-alcohol drinks to alcohol is positively viewed by 9%.

Research & Branding Group conducted a survey of public opinion about the attitude of the Ukrainian public to alcohol in the period from Dec. 4 to Dec. 14, 2011.

Data was collected using personal interviews in 24 regions in Ukraine and Crimea.

A total of 2,078 respondents participated in the survey. The poll's average margin of error is 2.2%.

08 February, 2012