I hope my Russian friends got their drink on for New Years because new government regulations have set the minimum price for Vodka at almost twice the previous going rate.  Part of this crack down was to not only target rampant alcoholism in Mother Russia but also to curb Vodka bootleggers who have captured 50% of the market.

Please tell me how raising the price of Vodka will curb bootleggers.  Won’t they up their production?  Or am I missing something?