Moscow officials plan to prohibit the sale of alcohol in courtyards
Starting September 1st, 2025, the sale of strong alcoholic beverages in courtyards of residential buildings in the Moscow region will be prohibited. This decision was made to address concerns raised by residents about noise, litter, and conflicts caused by customers of alcohol markets drinking near the entrance.
The law, which was passed by the Moscow Regional Duma during its spring session, applies only to retail outlets with an entrance located on the street and no more than 30 meters from the edge of the road. Retail outlets that already have a license can continue operating until its expiration.
The data referring to the sales of strong alcoholic beverages in Russia was obtained from Rosalkogoltabakcontrol (RATK). According to the data, the volume of retail sales of such beverages (excluding beer, beer drinks, cider, perry, and mead) in Russia in the first quarter of 2025 was 47.88 million decaliters. This is a significant decrease of 14.7% compared to the same period in 2024.
Residents have expressed particular concern about the proximity of these stores to children's playgrounds, where children can witness the sales and consumption of alcohol. People fear that the ban will help to create a safer and more family-friendly environment.
Igor Bryntsalov, the speaker of the regional parliament, made these statements. The text of the law was previously published on the website of the Moscow Regional Duma. The data was reported by RBC, citing data from Rosalkogoltabolcontrol (RATK).
The new rules will not affect attached and semi-attached premises. The law is part of broader alcohol control policies or local ordinances designed to address public health or safety concerns in the Moscow region. For precise details, it would be best to consult official Russian government sources or local news outlets that cover regulatory changes in the Moscow region.
The new law, part of broader alcohol control policies, aims to create a safer and more family-friendly environment by banning the sale of strong alcoholic beverages in residential courtyards. This policy-and-legislation move aligns with health-and-wellness concerns, specifically the proximity of alcohol stores to children's playgrounds. The recent significant decrease in the sales of such beverages and the ongoing debate in politics add to the justification for this decision.
