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NACC/ UCCC Position on blocking by the Parliament the prohibition of strong alcoholic drinks and tobacco products advertisement supposed to start since January 1, 2002, according to "Georgian Legislation on Advertisement"
According to the II-ND Item of Chapter 23 of "Georgian Legislation on Advertisement", adopted by the parliament on February 18, the VII-TH Item of the VIII-TH Chapter should become active since January 1, 2002, prohibiting the: advertisement of strong alcoholic drinks and Tobacco products through the radio and TV, newspaper and journal's covers.
It should be mentioned, that during the recent period, media means started the presentation of considerations of the politicians, and among of them some PM's, that the state economy would suffer when the mentioned Chapter becomes active, which is wrong and makes us to think that the realization of the VII-TH Item of the VIII-TH Chapter possibly could be blocked in December-January.
The NACC and UCCC joint Announcement was published in December on NACC Web concerning that issue.
Unfortunately, indeed the intensive dissemination of different politicians considerations against the prohibition of strong alcoholic drinks and tobacco products advertisement was started in the media. This campaign reached the pick on December 14, when all TV channel's information programs during the whole day were dedicated to present this problem to public at large, considering only their particular interests, that the freedom of the word, media and it's development is under the risk, foreign investments could be lessen and etc.
UCCC and NACC can't stay in passive position concerning that fact and are ought to do all their best to present their position on the Committee Meeting of the parliament.
The WHO as the leading cause of the early death considers tobacco active and passive smoking. Also, the strong alcoholic drinks are representing the one of the main reason of numerous diseases, disability and early death. Tobacco products and alcohol are the legalized types of the narcotic means. The risk of other narcotic abuse is high in their abusers. In Georgia, where the production, contraband, trading, advertisement and abuse of the falsified alcoholic drinks and low quality tobacco products untested on hygienic normative, is unimaginably high, the tendency of mean life time declining would progress fatherly, and in nearest 20-30 years, the population life quality further aggravation, significant person/life loses, important economical damage and country development blocking could not be avoided.
Tobacco producing companies, being stepped out from the western market, found the oasis in Georgia and alike developing countries during the past decade. At the present time they would desperately try to maintain the last bastion, in order to which they would be engaged in any kind of unfair agreement, possibly with some political groups too, to postpone the activation of the mentioned Chapter of "Legislation on Advertisement" for several years.
Tobacco and alcohol advertisement has nothing in common with the freedom of the word. Contrary, it is violating the person and children's wrights, to live in healthy environment and be healthy. According to epidemiological studies, youth is started the tobacco and alcohol abuse in 10-12 years age. The postponing of the law for 3-4 years, as the lobbyists request it, means the further extension of the epidemic pick and putting under the early death risk by the slow mechanism the children, who are 6-7 years old now. Or, saying in other words, the lobbyists will vote for investment of the further extension of genocide of Georgian population and it's minority.
In media political discussions, especially actual became the problem on ethic and moral issues. Surprisingly, namely the political groups, most actively talking about this, are demanding to continue such advertisements. It should be mentioned, that the double standards could not exist in these issues.
The advertisement of tobacco products and strong alcoholic drinks, as the main cause of numerous diseases and death, is the same way non-moral, as the advertisement of other narcotic substances, FE: heroin, cocaine, opium, marihuana and etc.
Media has the numerous sources of funding from advertisement of products, which are not hazardous to human health and also from the other means too, due to which they can exist and develop in future. Every politician is familiar on media expenses for election campaigns. Media means, unable to overcome the financial problems by other types of legal business, probably are even better to close.
In terms of legislative considerations, the blockage of the law would be the backward step, which will hinder the International integration of Georgia. Especially, taking in to account, that the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control would be accepted in Geneva in 2002,which prohibits the Tobacco products advertisement. Despite the wish, Georgia also would have to join this Convention in 2002.
Considering this, some politicians, could place their selves in comic situation: first vote for further advertisement of tobacco and alcohol products and then, for it's prohibition in short period of time. Naturally, the question of motivation of such politicians is raised. There could be the following versions and their combinations:
1. Dilettantism in problem (this version is excluded in groups, with medical field representatives);
2. They directly or their relatives are in tobacco or alcohol business;
3. They could be engaged in negotiations and agreements with tobacco or alcohol businessmen or importers;
4. In upcoming elections are standing on position advent gable for media;
5. They could be engaged in negotiations and agreements with media.
Any way, mentioned politicians groups are not taking in to account population interests. On the other hand society has a wright to know, who is voting for different reasons the further genocide of Georgian population.
NACC and UCCC are demanding to present to public at large the results of the voting via the media. Media, which has made the significant contribution in freedom of the word, should realize, that it is representing the fourth governmental body and has the responsibility along with the three of other, not only in freedom of the word but also in population and especially youth health.
If the population would not exist, who needs the free word of media, enriched with narcotic business money?
Or what is the difference between the media, mercantile encouraging the population genocide and those politicians and governmental structures, blamed for years by the media in narcotic business, due to which the media gained trust in population?
Or where is the truth and whom can we trust at all?
Vasil Tkeshelashvili, MD, PhD, ScD,
NACC/UCCC CEO
Tbilisi, 15.12.01.
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