MOSCOW, October 28 (RAPSI) – Russian senator Vyacheslav Fetisov has introduced a bill raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 amid a campaign to reduce alcohol consumption, Izvestia newspaper reports on Tuesday.

Fetisov claims public support and approval of the Public Chamber, an advisory body to the Russian authorities.

"According to the VTsIOM polling agency, over 70% of Russians have expressed support for the bill," the newspaper quoted Fetisov as having said. "We hope that authorities will listen to what people really want despite efforts of the lobbyists."

Fetisov has proposed amending the Civil Code, federal laws on production and sales of ethanol, alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products and, laws on retail sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Valery Ryazansky, chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, said the law was necessary because the majority of young people start drinking early and develop alcohol addiction.

Opponents argue that Russian Civil Code prohibits the restriction of the rights of citizens.

Previous efforts to raise the minimum drinking age in Russia failed. The bill submitted by senator Anton Belyakov have been shelved for more than two years. After having been submitted in February 2012, it was never considered by the State Duma.

In the meantime, more than 23,000 Russians die of alcohol poisoning every year, and 75,000 die from alcohol-related diseases.