[Intl-tobacco] Russian Ad Bill Passes

[Robert Weissman]

We obviously have a long way to go, but tobacco control momentum is really
building!

Russian Ad Bill Passes
by Vladimir Isachenkov / Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW –– Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval Thursday to bills
banning tobacco ads in the media and on the street and severely
restricting TV commercials in a bid to rein what proponents call
aggressive advertising.

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, voted 275-73 to approve
amendments to the Law on Advertising that would bar commercial breaks
during movies, religious broadcasts, some live public events, and
educational and children's programs on television.

The amendments on TV ads were proposed by a regional legislature and
supported by the Communist Party and others who argued that Russians were
increasingly vexed by aggressive advertising. However, the measure was
opposed by the government, which said it would hurt advertising profits –
including in state media.

"The poor don't need advertising because they can't afford anything
anyway, and the rich don't need it because they already know what to buy,"
said Nikolai Arefyev, a communist lawmaker. "Advertising has become a
public irritant."

The Duma also voted 258-75 to tentatively approve a ban on tobacco
advertising in print media, on street billboards and in public
transportation. Tobacco ads already had been banned on television.

All the amendments were passed on the first reading, and must undergo two
more readings in the Duma, win approval by the upper house of parliament,
and be signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Ad revenues make up about 60 percent of revenues for the three national
channels, and as much as 80 percent for local stations, Federal
Broadcasting Service chief Mikhail Seslavinsky told lawmakers. The rest
comes from government subsidies or bank credits.

Seslavinsky warned that the restrictions would prevent broadcasters from
earning their living and make them fully dependent on subsidies from the
government or big business.

"This decision will punish television stations and viewers as well,"
Seslavinsky said.