( CNN ) -- Moscow , Russia , authorities have cut the daily sales hours for beverages with more than 15 percent alcohol , making it illegal to buy such beverages in stores between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. , according to Russian state-run news agency RIA-Novosti . The move , which reduces by three hours a day the time those beverages can be sold in stores , will go into effect at the beginning of September , RIA-Novosti said . The tightened limits on alcohol sales also prohibit local prefectures from issuing 24-hour sales permits to shops . The cut in sales hours does n't affect bars , restaurants or night clubs in Moscow , which can still obtain 24-hour liquor licenses and serve beer , wine or bottled cocktails with less than 15 percent alcohol . The move is part of a continued effort led by the Kremlin to reduce Russia 's drinking problem . It is a problem that annually leads to thousands of deaths and a male life expectancy lower than anywhere else in Europe . The new law will only affect the Moscow region because there is no nationwide alcohol sales regulation , leaving alcohol available on store shelves 24 hours a day throughout the rest of the country , according to RIA-Novosti .
A new law in Moscow restricts alcohol sales in stores . The law limits sales of stronger beverages to 12 hours a day instead of 15 . The law affects only Moscow ; there is no nationwide alcohol sales regulation in Russia .