President Kuchma
has with extraordinary ease solved the dilemma between the need to fill state budget coffers
and no less urgent need to improve his pre-election image,
especially among a group of the population which has yet to decide
its political sympathies.
In this case this issue is young people, and the President is convinced that they will choose not only non-alcoholic cola but also weak alcohol Rum Cola and similar beverages. Physicians specializing in addictions have a great deal to say about such beverages. And the President, taking care of both producers and expecting that the step will win him points with young fans of weak alcohol beverages, has introduced a number of bills in Parliament which would require excise stamps for domestic beverages containing 1.2 to 8.5% alcohol. This, of course, will impact on their price and could anger both producers and consumers.
In this way the wise President at one stroke can obtain support from prosperous brewers and potential attention from many adolescents who will gain the right to vote this year. It is hard for them to decide who has violated their right to work and continue their education, but they will know Mr. President will not allow the weak alcohol beverages they drink all day and night to be taken away from them. Perhaps this will be made part of the campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle.






