The Parliament Allows The Strong Alcoholic Drinks and Tobacco Advertisement Through The Media Till April 1, 2003
Tbilisi, 21.12.2001, Parliament of Georgia
As informing previously, NACC/UCCC has declared its position, on advertisement restriction of strong alcoholic drinks and tobacco on 15.12.01, Friday.17.12.01, Monday was spent for collection of signatures of those medical profile NGOs, who shared the NACC/UCCC position.
On 18.12.01, Tuesday, NACC/UCCC President Vasil Tkeshelashvili and Young Diplomats Association President George Bakhturidze have presented to the Parliament the advertisement ban demand of medical profile NGOs, which was sent to Head of Parliament - Mrs. Nino Burjanadze, Heads of Committees and Parliament fractions. At the same day, it was found that Parliament session is postponed for Thursday, 20.12.01.
On 20.12.01, Thursday, according to regalement, Vasil Tkeshelashvili and George Bakhturidze were refused to attend the Parliament session and present their opinion. Due to the support of Head of Health and Social Affairs Committee, Mr. Zezva Gugunishvili, protest materials were copied and distributed through all Parliament Members. Also he helped to organize the meeting with Head of Economy Committee Mr. Ivane Merabishvili during the one of the breaks, who was presenting this issue on the Parliament session.
Talking with Mr. Merabishvili, it was found that, the Parliament Decision project "on changes in advertisement Georgian legislation" was already prepared, according to which, the advertisement of strong alcoholic drinks and tobacco through the media was supposed to be allowed till January 1, 2005. Motivation: Advertisement ban could be somehow accepted as administrative interfering mechanism in media activities and restriction of its freedom, especially, taking in to account, that the "Georgian legislation on advertisement" considers the rules and demands, according to which the advertisement of above-mentioned products should be conducted.
The additional argument of Mr. Merabishvili was the fact, that, the project is negotiated with the Head of Tobacco Fight National Center - Mr. Gela Kobeshavidze, due to which the tobacco advertisement textual anti-advertisement would be replaced by audio version.
As the result of the meeting, the final compromise agreement was reached: Considering the fact, that it is impossible to postpone the Parliament Decision Project, advertisement would be continued no longer than 1 year (January 1, 2003) and during this period the law on "Tobacco Control" should be prepared, prohibiting all types of tobacco products advertisement.
Debates on this issue were having place on Parliament sessions during 2 days (20-21.12.01).
Finally, parliament allowed the strong alcoholic drinks and tobacco advertisement through the media till April 1, 2003, with 122 Parliament Members voices against 25.