A joint statement of Media Alliance Nepal, an umbrella organisation of mainstream media, Radio Broadcasters Forum Nepal and Advertising Association of Nepal has said its serious attention has been drawn on a statement issued by Nepal Advertisement Board to stop advertisements related to alcoholic beverages that are restricted by the law.

The board on November 10 had issued a statement to stop advertising alcohol and alcoholic products, citing Article 45 under the Public Health Service Act 2018 which has a provision to not advertise alcohol and tobacco products which have negative effects on public health, including Article 5 of Advertising Regulation Act, 2019 which restricts advertisement of such products.

The joint statement said that the government has given every right to produce, import, sell and consume and have been raising taxes worth billions of rupees. But it’s not justified why the advertisement of these products are illegal, the statement reads.

It said that in the 21st century, it's the right of the consumers to select the products.

As per global standards and existing law, advertisement of alcohol and alcoholic products are not found restricted, the statement said.

As per the standard of World Health Organisation as well, alcoholic products like beer and similar drinks with low alcoholic content are not restricted in countries like the US, it said.

The Public Health Service Act, 2018 should be amended immediately and should cancel the provision related to this from Advertisement Regulation Act, 2019.