No More Soju Ads on Buses and Taxis... Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the National Health Promotion Act Passed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The ban on alcohol advertisements, which has so far been implemented only in subway stations and vehicles, will be expanded to include transportation facilities such as buses, railroads, taxis, as well as bus terminals and urban railway facilities.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 8th that the partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the "National Health Promotion Act," which includes these details, was approved at the Cabinet meeting. The enforcement date is set for the 30th of this month.

This enforcement decree was prepared to specify the necessary details following the amendment to the National Health Promotion Act, which raises the legal standards for alcohol advertisement regulations and stipulates the designation and operation of alcohol-free zones by local government ordinances, effective from the 30th. The new National Health Promotion Act elevates the compliance requirements for alcohol advertisements and advertising materials to a legal level and stipulates that violations of prohibition orders may result in imprisonment for up to one year or fines up to 10 million KRW. Additionally, it grants local governments the authority to designate and operate alcohol-free zones through ordinances. Violations of the drinking ban within these zones may incur fines of up to 100,000 KRW.

The amendment to the enforcement decree adds and establishes standards for alcohol advertisements. From now on, the broadcasting media subject to alcohol advertisement restrictions from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. will include not only TV but also data broadcasting, IPTV, and DMB. Furthermore, alcohol advertisement songs are prohibited not only on broadcast advertisements but also across all media.

The scope of the ban on outdoor alcohol advertisements has also been expanded. For transportation facilities and means, advertisements were previously prohibited only in subway stations and vehicles, but going forward, the ban will extend to all transportation facilities including buses, railroads, taxis, as well as bus terminals and urban railway facilities. Video advertisements displayed on wall signs or rooftop signs will also be prohibited from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., just like TV. Additionally, alcohol advertisements will be banned at events targeting children and adolescents.

The amendment also clarifies the authority and standards for imposing fines on drinkers within alcohol-free zones designated by local government ordinances. The authority to impose fines lies with the heads of metropolitan or basic local governments that designated the alcohol-free zones, and the fine standards can be set within the range of 100,000 KRW by local government ordinances.

Im In-taek, Director of the Health Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "We hope this amendment to the enforcement decree will contribute to fostering a healthy drinking culture and serve as an opportunity to protect children and adolescents from the harms of alcohol consumption."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.