The Latvian government is reported to be drawing up legislation that will ban alcohol advertising across all mass media, including print, the local press reported today. The current legislation stipulates restrictions in advertisements and commercials of alcoholic beverages on the radio and television, except for wine and beer. But the new legislation currently includes all alcohol and all media.

The Latvian Advertising Association has raised its objections and is preparing proposals this week on how to amend the bill. The Ministry of Finance press secretary Baiba Melnace was quoted in the reports as saying the draft project could be changed as the bill is at its initial stage.

17 October, 2003