Draft bill to limit alcohol advertising circulated for comment

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has circulated a draft bill to limit alcohol advertising for comment. 

The draft bill specifies that advertising of spirits would continue to be prohibited. The draft bill would prohibit advertising of mild alcoholic beverages outdoors and in public premises but would continue to allow advertising at and outside points of sale and in restaurants. This would mean that alcohol ads would disappear from bus stops, sports venues and athletes' shirts. Alcohol advertising would also be prohibited on TV and radio before 23.00.

Advertising for mild alcoholic beverages could continue to be published in other media, but the content of the ads would be restricted to elements specifically allowed, such as the price and image of the product advertised. Promotional tools such as marketing lotteries, online video ads and games would be prohibited.

The draft bill was circulated for comment to various authorities, NGOs and business organisations. Maria Guzenina Richardson, Minister of Health and Public Services, will decide her opinion on the draft bill after comments have been returned. The aim is to submit the Government Bill to Parliament during the 2012 spring session.

The justification given for the restrictions proposed in the draft bill is that recent research findings indicate that alcohol advertising increases alcohol consumption among children and adolescents. It is stated in the Government Programme that alcohol advertising aimed at children and adolescents will be prohibited and that the airing of such advertising on TV and radio will be reviewed.

Kari Paaso, Director, tel. 09 160 74018, firstname.lastname@stm.fi
Ismo Tuominen, Ministerial Counsellor, tel. 09 160 73787, firstname.lastname@stm.fi

Alcohol policy