«The introduction of some new excise duty stamps in 2008 is not likely to result in an increase in strong drink prices; all the expenses related to installation of the new equipment and stamping the bottles are supposed to be borne by the producers themselves», Director of Vinomania Ltd Nina Chikurova said to UrBC.

On October 16, 2007, the State Duma adopted a bill that states all strong drinks bottles must have a new excise duty stamp beginning from January 1, 2007.

«These new stamps will probably banish some of the adulterated wine from the market, even though it will definitely be impossible to make the market totally surrogate-free», Ms Chikurova said.