Nepal to Ban Tobacco Ads (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

 January 4, 1999 
 Dow Jones Newswires

 Nepal's Govt To Ban Alcohol, Tobacco Ads
 On TV And Radio

 Dow Jones Newswires

 KATMANDU, Nepal (AP)--The Nepalese government will soon ban all
 alcohol and tobacco advertisements on television and radio, a government
 minister said Monday.

 Minister for Communications Jayaprakash Gupta said the World Health
 Organization had been calling for such a ban for a long time and the
 government decision reflected wishes of the majority of Nepalese people.

 The state-run television and radio station, and two other private radio
stations depend on alcohol and cigarette advertisements for half their revenue.

 Gupta didn't say when the ban will be imposed or any government policies
 that would compensate for loss of revenue.

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