Russians react to study claiming alcohol consumption down 40% Russia may still have a reputation as a nation of hard drinkers, but a report by the World Health Organization shows alcohol consumption has dropped by some 40 percent since 2003. The WHO puts the decrease down to a raft of measures brought in under sport-loving President Vladimir Putin, including restrictions on alcohol sales and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES from a bar in central Moscow