Mykola Tomenko: As Long as the Government protects Combative Advertising of Beer and Vodka on TV, the Ban on Alcohol Consumption in the Public Places will not be observed.
In the interview to the National Radio on Friday, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, dwelled on the restriction of consumption and circulation of beer and low-alcohol beverages. He is convinced that as long as the government protects combative advertising of beer and vodka on TV, the ban on alcohol consumption in the public places will not be observed.
On January 21, 2010, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law on amendments to the Law "On State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Cognac and Fruit Alcohol, Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco Goods" (re restriction of consumption and sale of low-alcohol beverages).
The Law defines the concept "low-alcoholic beverages", prohibits their consumption in public transport, in the territories of children playgrounds, at the educational and public health establishments, and other institutions. The Law also restricts the places of their sale. The Law adds a new provision to the current Law to the effect that "low alcohol beverages are alcoholic beverages with 1.25% to 8.5% (by volume) ethyl alcohol content and extractive substances below or equal to 14.0 g/100 cm3 , manufactured from water/alcohol based compositions, using ingredients, semi-products and preserving agents, saturated or unsaturated with carbon dioxide."
"Frankly speaking, we have the statistical data showing some positive trends in the observance of the Law", M. Tomenko declared. For example, there are no ‘drinking sessions´ in the children playgrounds and athletic fields, or central squares of the city in the evenings, as it was a year ago.
"Still, public opinion and ban on TV advertising are the key factors", the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes. M. Tomenko explained that the publicly supported discussions on the ban on direct combative advertising of beer and vodka on TV had come to a halt in the session hall, as the Government ordered to reject the bill on amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising" (re advertising of alcoholic beverages and beer) (Reg. No. 1014-2) submitted by M.Tomenko and A.Shevchenko that prohibits advertising of liquors and direct advertising of beer.
The Deputy Chairman of the Parliament reminded that in September, the President of Ukraine declared the importance to stop teenage drinking and the development of ‘young beer generation.´ Considering this fact, Mykola Tomenko stated that if the intentions of the President were real, the Government and the parliamentary majority who act as alcohol and beer magnates lobbying group would alter their anti-presidential policy.