Putin Signs Law Imposing Fine On Public Beer Drinkers

President Putin, October 2005 (epa) 6 December 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today signed into a law a measure raising fines for drinking beer in public.

This legal amendment means that people found drinking beer in public places or on public transportation can be fined up to three times the minimum monthly wage, which is currently 100 rubles, or $3.50.

Adults who supply beer to people under the age of 18 will face the same fine. Russian law previously penalized adults only for supplying hard alcohol to minors and for consuming spirits in public places.

(RIA-Novosti/lenta.ru)