The Malaysian Insider :: Features

Chinese condoms too small for South Africans?

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 02:16 AM PDT

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 18 – A South African court has blocked the government from buying 11 million Chinese condoms, saying they are too small, a newspaper reported on Friday.

The finance ministry had awarded a contract to a firm called Siqamba Medical, which planned to buy the Phoenurse condoms from China, the Beeld newspaper said.

A rival firm, Sekunjalo Investments Corporation, turned to the High Court in Pretoria after losing the bid, arguing that their condoms were 20 per cent larger than the Chinese ones.

Judge Sulet Potterill blocked the deal with Siqamba, ruling that the condoms were too small, made from the wrong material, and were not approved by the World Health Organisation, the paper said.

South Africa has more HIV infections than any country in the world, with 5.38 million of its 50 million people carrying the virus. – AFP

Russia targets beer in fight against alcoholism

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 01:58 AM PDT

Members of an Internet community supporting Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev carry pails of beer as part of a performance to discourage Russian youngsters from drinking alcohol in public places, in central Moscow, on August 4, 2011. – AFP pic

MOSCOW, Sept 18 – With a stroke of the presidential pen, beer was recently reclassified as an alcoholic drink in Russia, no longer a foodstuff, and its sales are to be restricted to cut alcohol abuse.

"Up to now, beer has not been considered alcohol in Russia but as a simple soft drink, like lemonade" that could be sold "anywhere and at any time," said parliamentary deputy Viktor Zvagelsky of the ruling United Russia party.

But starting January 2013 a new licensing law signed by President Dmitry Medvedev will ban beer sales from 11pm to 8am except in bars and cafes.

The law will also prohibit selling beer in street kiosks and drinking it in public places.

"Now beer will largely be regulated in the same way as other spirits," Zvagelsky said.

Healthcare professionals have praised the crackdown.

"Young people are introduced (to alcohol) through beer and ... switch to strong alcoholic drinks," said Evgenia Koshkina of the National Centre for Addictions Research.

Alcohol abuse kills half a million Russians a year and lowers life expectancy, which currently stands at 60 for men, lower than in countries such as Bangladesh and Honduras, according to the World Health Organisation.

But Koshkina doubts the effectiveness of the new law given the high rate of alcoholism in the country, saying that "people are not accustomed to respect laws."

Kirill Bolmatov, a manager at Russia's fifth-largest brewery, SABMiller, critised the decision to focus on beer instead of spirits.

"(Easy) access to strong spirits contributes to (high) alcoholism. One litre of vodka costs about €4 (RM17.62) in Russia, a very low price" unimaginable in Europe.

The new law has struck fear into local brewers and foreign importers in Russia, the world's fourth largest beer market that has seen steady growth.

According to a survey by the Public Opinion Group, beer is the favourite drink of 39 per cent of Russians, while 32 per cent said they preferred vodka.

"In street kiosks, beer sales make up nearly half of the overall profits," said Bolmatov.

The law will be "a heavy blow to small businesses and jobs," he predicted, while it will have little effect on big brewers.

"They may not see more growth, but at least they will maintain a stable volume of sales." – AFP

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Ahad, 18 September 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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