Prime Minister Andrus Ansip replied to the interpellation (No. 171) concerning the alcohol policy, submitted on 15 September by Member of the Riigikogu Jüri Tamm.

Mr. Ansip stressed in his reply to the interpellation that the state was systematically combating against illegal alcohol as well as propagating healthy lifestyles. Prime Minister’s considers pre-emptive activities to be the most important for the state. One of the most effective means for preventing alcohol problems is to provide the children and young people the opportunity to occupy their free time with cultural hobbies and sports. However, it is clear that home and school values also play a decisive role in young people’s alcohol use. Mr. Ansip considers the introduction of revenue stamps system to be very important. It helps to avoid the present problematic situation where illegal alcohol may be sold from stores to unsuspecting consumers. “Our principle is systematic fight against illegal alcohol ,” Prime Minister stressed. Consequences of illegal alcohol are much more dangerous than the loss of income from taxes, Mr. Ansip explained. The tragedy in Pärnumaa vividly illustrated the devastating influence of alcohol on a person’s health and life.

Prime Minister also replied to the interpellation (No. 173) concerning the proceeding of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On Estonian Citizens’ Armed Fight against the Military Occupation of the USSR, submitted on 22 September by Members of the riigikogu Trivimi Velliste, Andres Herkel and Mart Nutt, and to the interpellation (No. 179) concerning the excuses of Russia related to the occupation, submitted on 12 October by Members of the Riigikogu Mart Laar, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Peeter Tulviste and Mart Nutt.

Minister of Agriculture Ester Tuiksoo replied to the interpellation (No. 178) concerning the distribution of European grants, submitted on 12 October by Members of the Riigikogu Imre Sooäär and Avo Üprus.

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On the motion of the Constitutional Committee amendments were made to the agenda of the Wednesday’s sitting. The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Constitutional Review Proceedings Act and Riigikogu Rules of Procedure Act (762 SE), initiated by the constitutional Committee, will be deliberated.

During the open microphone Liina Tõnisson took the floor.

The Riigikogu Press Service

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