Nepal to ban tobacco and alcohol ads (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Nepal to ban tobacco and alcohol ads
by Deepak Gajurel, India Abroad News Service

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (8938) 
NEPAL;
Date: Tuesday, 1/12/99
               =================== Kathmandu, Monday - Tobacco and liquor
advertisements will be taken off television and radio networks in Nepal as
part of the Government's effort to discourage smoking and drinking. 


Nepali Information and Communications Minister Jaya Prakash Gupta has
announced that the Government would enforce the ban soon. 


Commercials for tobacco and alcoholic products make up nearly 50 per cent
of revenue of television and radio stations in Nepal. Most sports, music
and popular programs are sponsored by either cigarette or whisky-makers. 


Nepal Television's (NTV) annual revenue of Rs. 70 million ($1.04 million)
includes Rs. 25 million from tobacco and alcohol advertising. 

Government-owned Radio Nepal earns about 40 per cent of its total revenue
from such advertising. Newly established private FM radio stations too are
heavily dependent on cigarette and liquor commercials. 


The Government-owned Nepal Television is the only station in the country
while there are four FM radio stations -- three privately-owned -- in
Kathmandu. Another half a dozen FM radio stations are in the pipeline. 


Though most media officials are worried about the possible revenue loss,
experts have welcomed the Government's ban. "Such a ban should be imposed
on the print media as well," senior journalist Bhairab Risal said. 


(India Abroad News Service)