Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma signed a law on regulating the circulation of alcohol, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. \n \nThe Law “On Amending Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Regulation of the Circulation of Alcohol, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Productsproducts” was vetoed by the President of Ukraine, and on November 18 the parliament adopted this law taking into account the head of state's proposalsyou.\n \nAmendments made to the laws of Ukraine “On Excise Duty on Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products”, “On State Regulation of Productproduction and circulation of ethyl, cognac and fruit alcohol, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products”, “On quality and safety of ffood products and food raw materials”, “On state regulation of imports of agricultural products”, “On ratesexcise tax rates on ethyl alcohol and alcoholic beverages”.\n \nThe law introduced a moratorium on the construction of new state enterprises for the production of alcohol until January 1, 2010. The law talso introduces until January 1, 2006 an excise tax on fruit and berry beverages with added alcohol in the amount of UAH 1.2 per liter. At thisthere is a zero excise tax on ethyl alcohol used by primary and mixed winemaking enterprises for the productionproduction of grape and fruit-berry wine materials and must.\n \nThe law approved excise duty rates for natural grape wines– 0,25 UAH/liter, fortified wines with added alcohol– 0,50 UAH/liter, sparkling and carbonated wines– 1,6 UAH/liter, vermouths and natural wines with added plant or flavored extracts– 1,2 UAH/liter, on ethyl alcohol– 16 UAH per liter 100%-th alcohol, cognac– 3 UAH per liter 100%-th alcohol, cognac alcohol– 16 UAH per liter 100%-th alcohol.\n