Lukashenka signs new ads bill

Alexander Lukashenka on May 23 signed a new law on advertising, the European Radio for Belarus has learned. However, the press office of the head of the state has not yet confirmed this information. The previous advertising bill was enacted in Belarus back in 1994.
On April 20, 2007 the Council of the Republic, the upper chamber of the Belarus's National Assembly, unanimously approved in the second reading the draft legislation on advertising. Under the law, advertising cannot exceed 20% of the total radio and TV programming within 24 hours. Besides, commercials are restricted to 30% within one hour in the prime time (1800-2200).

The new law introduces a total ban for the outdoor beer ads or any promotion campaigns that stimulate beer sales. Advertising of the artificial milk mixtures for babies is also banned in order to promote breast-feeding.