Сonsumption of spirits increases in Armenia

Armenia is seeing an increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages,
mostly of vodka, the chairman of the Union of Armenian winemakers,
Avag Arutyunyan, said today, News-Armenia reports.

According to Arutyunyan, the growth of alcohol consumption is an
indicator of social problems in Armenian society and evidence of low
quality of life.

Today Armenians consume 1.5 litres of wine per capita and 8.3 litres
of vodka and cognac.

According to Arutyunyan, the consumption of strong alcoholic drinks in
Armenia in 2010 is 2.3 times more than 10 years ago. The volume of
wine consumption in 2010 increased by 26% compared to the previous
year and by 70% compared to the figures from 10 years ago. The
consumption of brandy in 2010 increased by 25% compared to 2009 and
3.3 times more compared to the figures from 10 years ago, while vodka
consumption in 2010 was 10% higher than last year and 61% higher than
10 years ago.