Docs Not Toasting Ladies' Vodka

Christopher Hitchens defended his notorious drinking habit to the end

(NEWSER) - Christopher Hitchens defended his prolific smoking and drinking habits even though they probably killed him. "Whatever enhances and prolongs and deepens and sometimes intensifies argument and conversation," he once wrote, "is worth it to me." But does boozing really aid the creative process? Slate takes a look, perusing anecdotal evidence and a few amusing studies in which people got pickled and tried to write something. More»

'Alcohol abuse stem from other drinks,' he says

(NEWSER) - In order to combat alcoholism, Dmitry Medvedev would like Russia to push people to drink more wine. That is not a joke ... and neither is Russia's battle with alcoholism . Medvedev believes that encouraging people to put down the vodka bottle and pick up a nice chardonnay is one way to win the war. "Countries where this sector is strong have no problems with alcohol abuse: problems with alcohol abuse stem from other drinks," he explained. More»

Change will allow country to regulate its sale

(NEWSER) - Historic changes in Russia: Beer, long classified as "foodstuff," is about to get upgraded to alcohol, "dragging Russian alcohol regulation into the 21st century," quips the Telegraph . Beer consumption has tripled in Russia in the last 15 years thanks to the fact that it's been cheap and only lightly regulated. A bill set to end beer's special status passed the lower house of Parliament yesterday; the new law would curtail beer sales at night and limit the size of cans and bottles to about 11 ounces. More»

Findings are being forwarded to Lohan's probation officer

(NEWSER) - Lindsay Lohan might not be free for long. Detectives have concluded that the actress likely did commit battery in a confrontation with a rehab staffer last month and they're forwarding their findings for possible prosecution. "The investigation determined Ms. Lohan violated several aspects of her probation, including the battery," the Palm Desert Police Department said in a press release , adding that the department will notify Lohan's probation officer. It might be tough to make a case against Lohan, however. The worker is now saying she won't cooperate with prosecutors . More»

(USER SUBMITTED) - While governments in the West worry about reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption and their related deaths, our Russian comrades have a different message for their people: Smoke and drink more! As the country plans to raise excise taxes on booze and double those on cigarettes over the next three years, “People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state," announced Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin today. More»