In Novosibirsk fines for the sale of alcohol to children may grow to 900 thousand rubles

The Russian government submitted to the State Duma a bill on a sharp increase in administrative fines. For Novosibirsk stores caught selling alcohol to minors, the amount of penalties can grow to a record 900 thousand rubles.

The Cabinet of Ministers proposed to the deputies to revise the Code of Administrative Offences. Bill No. 665-9 provides for a significant increase in liability for a number of offenses, with the most serious increase affecting the illegal sale of alcohol.

If the amendments are adopted, the fine for cashiers and sellers for the sale of alcohol to a child will increase from the current 30-60 thousand to 60-100 thousand rubles. Officials will pay from 200 to 300 thousand, and legal entities – directly shops – from 560 thousand to 900 thousand rubles. Now the maximum fine for the outlet is 500 thousand. In addition, for the turnover of alcohol without accompanying documents, the fine can reach 600 thousand rubles.

The situation was commented by Novosibirsk lawyer Alexei Shmul. In his opinion, the proposed measures are a logical step in conditions where the current amount of fines does not perform a preventive function. The government clearly points out that the old fines are outdated and are not perceived by business as a serious threat. In the case of selling alcohol to children, this is a particularly sensitive topic for Novosibirsk. Raising the fine for the store to 900 thousand rubles is actually the cost of survival for small businesses, and this amount will force the owners of retail outlets to review the personnel control system and introduce strict regulations for checking documents from customers, Shmul said in an interview with Sib.fm.

It is expected that the bill will be considered in the state Duma in the near future. If passed, the new fines will come into effect after the law is officially published.