(TheDrinksBusiness) - The new law, which came into effect on 1 January, was agreed by former president Dmitry Medvedev in July 2011 and now classes beer as a liquor. As with sales of vodka and other spirits, kiosks and beer stalls will be restricted in how much beer they can sell and will not be allowed to sell any at all between 11pm and 8am. Current president Vladimir Putin, said the step was necessary as he acknowledged the country’s battle with alcoholism, which is the cause of an estimated one in every five male deaths in Russia, according to the World Health Organisation, and 6% of female deaths.