The Ministry of Justice has just announced a draft Decree on administrative sanctions for violations in the health sector (hereinafter referred to as the Draft Decree).
serious fines for alcohol and beer promotion in violation of regulations
According to Article 33, individuals and organizations that violate regulations on alcohol and beer promotion will be fined from 20 to 30 million VND. Specifically, the acts of being punished include: Promoting alcohol and beer to people under 18 years old; promoting in the business of alcohol and beer with an alcohol level of 15 degrees or more; using alcohol and beer with an alcohol level of 15 degrees or more for promotion in any form.
In addition, even for alcohol and beer with an alcohol level of less than 15 degrees, the promotion must strictly comply with the provisions of the law. In case of non-compliance with regulations, individuals and organizations can still be punished according to the above framework.
Advertising for alcohol and beer violations: Fine up to 40 million VND
Not only tightening promotional activities, the law also clearly stipulates sanctions for acts of advertising alcohol and beer in violation of Article 34.
Accordingly, the act of using people under 18 years old to directly participate in advertising alcohol and beer will be fined from 15 to 20 million VND.
Notably, a fine of 20 to 30 million VND will be applied to acts of advertising for alcohol with an alcohol level below 15 degrees and advertising for beer with content or forms of violation, such as: Encouragement to drink alcohol, beer; showing alcohol and beer associated with maturity, achievements or gender appeal; targeting children, students, young people or pregnant women.
In addition, the use of images, symbols, music, and characters for children; advertising in events, vehicles, and products for people under 18 years old; advertising on means of transport or at times and programs for children are also strictly prohibited.
For advertising for alcohol with an alcohol level of 5.5 degrees to under 15 degrees and beer with an alcohol level of 5.5 degrees or more, if advertising in cultural, artistic, sports programs or on outdoor advertising means (except for the signs of businesses), the fine can be up to 3040 million VND.
Suspend advertising, force removal of violating content
In addition to the fine, the law also stipulates an additional penalty of suspending alcohol and beer advertising activities from 01 to 03 months for some serious violations, especially advertising in the electronic environment without measures to control the age of visitors.
At the same time, individuals and organizations that violate the law are also required to revoke, remove or remove all advertising content in violation, in order to eliminate elements that are against the law.
