It appears that the alcohol industry in Armenia has been able to push through favorable changes in the parliament dealing with laws regarding commercial advertising of some alcoholic beverages.

At a parliamentary session today debating changes to laws regarding TV and radio advertising, MP Artak Davtyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party who Chairs the Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, proposed that print advertising for beverages 20 proof or more be allowed even though they are now banned on TV and radio.

This proposed change to the law was described by various MPs as a result of lobbying by the alcohol industry.

Armenian National Congress (HAK) MP Aram Manoukyan noted, “This is lobbying and certain MPs are backing it, thus carrying out the wishes of certain people on the outside.”

Manoukyan said that the rest of the world seeks to cut cigarette and alcohol adverts and while Armenia has made progress in this regard, certain people want to turn the clock back.

He called on the parliament to vote down the proposed changes, calling them shameful.