15:07 Belarus parliament bans beer ads

The House of Representatives of the Belarusian parliament has approved by the 90-10 vote in the second reading the Law on Advertising. Under the new bill, advertising should not exceed 20 percent of total amount of radio and television broadcasts daily.

The legislation also sets out that commercials should not go beyond 30 percent of the total broadcasting time from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The law bans the advertising of demand for human organs and tissues; breast-milk substitutes, psychotropic substances, pornography as well as commercials that could lead to trafficking in people, prostitution and anti-social behaviors.

The new law has also put restrictions on the advertising of beer and light alcoholic beverages. Presently, outdoor beer advertising is totally banned. Any activities associated with beer promotion are also banned by this law.

Besides, the legislation envisages that the volume level of advertising announcements should not exceed the average volume of the program, which is interrupted by a commercial.