The oft-debated new draft Law on Preventing Alcohol's Harmful Effects has seen new proposals from the Ministry of Health.
During a recent conference on regulations and implementation of the new law, Vietnam's health ministry proposed that all types of advertising of alcoholic beverages should carry health warnings, VOH Online reports.
Warnings suggested by the health ministry are those against driving under the influence, selling alcoholic drinks to people under 18 years old, consuming alcohol while pregnant, and health-related consequences of drinking such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Advertisements in video or audio form would be required to have these warnings read out loud at the same speed as other elements in the ads. Commercials that run shorter than 15 seconds won’t need to have these warnings read, but the warnings need to be communicated via the advert's content, whether through images or text.
The ministry also proposed that the content of these warnings be changed every two years at most. Online shopping platforms should contain built-in features that block access to alcohol for users under 18 years old.
Besides the aforementioned proposals, the health ministry also suggested several public spaces where alcohol should be banned. These locations include parks, highway stops, bus stops, cinemas, theaters, stadiums and sports arenas.
The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2020.
[Photo via Pixabay]
