Background: With the exception of Russia and the Baltic States, little information is available on current patterns of drinking in the former Soviet Union (FSU). This paper describes patterns of beer, wine and spirits consumption in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, and Ukraine.
Methods: Data from eight cross-sectional surveys were used. Surveys used standardised methods and representative samples of the adult population of the countries (overall sample size 18,428; response rates between 71-88%). Between-country variations in consumption frequency and intakes of beer, wine and spirits and beliefs were examined.
Results: Between 11-34% of males and 26-71% of females reported never drinking alcohol. Wine was most commonly drunk in Moldova (particularly in older respondents) and to a lesser degree in Georgia. In Russia, Ukraine and Belarus spirits were most frequently consumed but beer intake was relatively high. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and in Armenian males, spirits was the preferred alcoholic beverage. Beer was more frequently drunk by younger compared with older respondents. More frequent drinkers were more likely to believe that alcohol is a good way to mark special occasions, relax, and forget problems, and that it is advantageous for health.
Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed important regional variations in the types of alcoholic beverages consumed in eight countries of the FSU. It provides an important baseline for future comparisons as markets open to new products, as has been the case elsewhere in Europe.