MOSCOW, August 2 (RIA Novosti) - The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, approved amendments to the law "On Advertising" in the second reading on Saturday. The Duma approved extremely tough restrictions on beer advertising, banning it on TV from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Advertisers will no longer be able to use the images of people and animals (including animated ones). Beer advertising will also be banned at cultural and sporting events, health centers and resorts, as well as at sport and culture organizations.
TV channels stand to lose 10% of their advertising earnings, or nearly $150 million, in various estimates, writes Kommersant.
Breweries regard the ban on advertising beer at sport and culture organizations as "an end to sport sponsorship."
The Duma is expected to consider amendments to the law "On Advertising" in the third reading as early as on August 5. The amendments are yet to be considered at the Federation Council, parliament's upper house, signed into law by the president and made public. The amendments will come into force ten days after being published.
