These States Are Calling For A Boycott Of Russian Vodka
As Russian armed forces continue to invade the sovereign country of Ukraine, many people living outside of Europe feel a sense of helplessness as they watch the atrocities of war unfold. NATO continues to condemn the invasion by imposing sanctions, and now politicians from the United States and Canada, and a multitude of retailers are imposing their own penalties on Russian goods to show support for Ukraine.
Lots of people enjoy a vodka cocktail, but some folks are boycotting the classic Russian liquor. Deseret News states that governors from New Hampshire, Utah, and Ohio have ordered a boycott of products produced in Russia, while the Liquor Control Board of Ontario announced the removal of all Russian-made products in Canadian outlets along with accepting returns on any previously purchased Russian goods. Under Utah Governor Spencer Cox's executive order, Russian branded products (like Stoli vodka, which is produced in Latvia) are included in Utah's ban. Stoli Group told CNN Business that it "unequivocally condemns the military action in Ukraine." Ohio Governor Mike DeWine focused his order on the sales of Russian Standard, as it's the only vodka sold in Ohio that is produced in a Russian distillery.
Vodka produced in Russia makes up less than 1% of the vodka consumed in the U.S., but the boycott appears to have given people a way to proactively support Ukraine.
People are pouring out Russian vodka in support of Ukraine
Despite the generally symbolic nature of the boycott of Russian vodka, governments and politicians are being joined by retailers and regular citizens in protest against the Eastern European country. Governor Spencer Cox said, "Utah stands in solidarity with Ukraine and will not support Russian enterprises, no matter how small the exchange" (via Deseret News).
According to Fox News, almost 700 liquor stores in Canada will be removing Russian vodka from their shelves, and in the United States, independent retailers from coast to coast have shared their decision to remove vodka and other Russian-made products. In addition to pulling the Russian alcohol, some bar and liquor store owners are promoting Ukrainian vodkas like Kozak and Vektor to make your White Russian instead.
Bill McCormick, the owner of a tavern in Bend, Oregon, can be seen dumping bottles of Russian vodka in a video from news channel KTVZ. The bar owner said that he stood to lose money by pouring the vodka out, but it was worth it to him to protest against Russia any way he could.