ADVERTISING BAN
Alcohol Control Act put on hold for 30 days
A girl joins a group of about 100 students and members of an anti-alcohol drinks network from around the country who gathered in front of Government House to support a ban on alcoholic advertisements.
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Cabinet approves measure in principle, but Council of State to review it
The ban on alcohol advertising that was initiated by the Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) will be postponed for 30 days pending a review by the Council of State into its ruling that the ban is invalid, the Food Committee announced yesterday. The ban was initially scheduled to take effect on December 3. Dr Kittisak Klabdee, the committee chairman and acting Public Health permanent secretary, said the ban would not take effect, because his ministry wished to hear the review results first. "But whatever the review results are, we will accept them," he said. Last week, the Council of State ruled that the FDA had no mandate to ban alcohol advertising comprehensively. The Lawyers Council of Thailand yesterday said the ruling was legitimate. Despite the proposed ban hitting a snag, the Public Health Ministry's proposed Alcohol Control Bill sailed through the Cabinet yesterday. The bill bans all forms of alcohol advertising, with very limited exceptions like live broadcasts from abroad. Breaches of the ban in print, television, radio, digital and outdoor media would carry a penalty of up to one year in jail, a maximum fine of Bt100,000 or both. The bill also bans alcohol sales to youths below the age of 20 and heavily intoxicated persons. Alcohol sales via vending machines are also prohibited, with offenders facing up to one year in jail, a maximum fine of Bt20,000 or both. Moreover, the bill does not allow any promotional activities for alcohol sales. The bill prescribes a six-month prison term and a Bt10,000 fine as maximum penalties for this offence. Those selling alcohol on days prohibited by official announcements face up to six months in jail, a maximum fine of Bt10,000 or both. The bill also prescribes many other measures aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. The Cabinet yesterday approved the bill in principle but recommended that the Public Health Ministry make amendments. For example, the ministry was asked to give affected entrepreneurs time to adjust to the new law. The ministry will make amendments before forwarding the bill to the Council of State. Then it can be sent to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation.
Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul, Piyanart Srivalo The Nation
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