The Lithuanian Ministry of Health has prepared new amendments to the Law on Alcohol Control in October, suggesting total ban of outdoor advertising as well as advertising in all media beginning on 1st of July 2015. An exception would be applied for the international art, cultural or sports events broadcast or rebroadcast directly or continuously and for programmes broadcast under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Lithuania, being broadcast from 6:00 to 23:00.
The Minister of Health Vytenis Pauliukaitis received support letters from international NGOs: The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare), Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network (NordAn), Alcohol Policy Youth Network (APYN), Norwegian Policy Network on Alcohol and Drugs (Actis), Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy (STAP) that congratulated efforts of the Ministry to tighten alcohol advertising restrictions in Lithuania. At least 30 NGOs of Lithuania also expressed support for the Ministries initiative.
Support letters produced by Lithuanian organizations emphasized that alcohol advertising restrictions (without implementing the full ban) cause an additional administrative burden for public authorities, entangles them in cumbersome and expensive legal processes and allows alcohol manufacturers manipulate the provisions of the law by constantly challenging all penalties for violations of the Law. Therefore total ban on advertising is more effective not only as a public health measure, but also as means to reduce costs related to implementation of alcohol control.
See for below for the complete press release by the National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition.
support-for-moh-of-lithunia_alcohol-advertising-ban.pdf (95,1 kB)