YEREVAN. – Armenian government postponed approval of the bill on tobacco and alcohol advertising,

Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan said the Cabinet is neither ready to approve the bill as it is drafted now, nor is inclined to give a negative conclusion.

The reason is that the bill was drafted by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

“This will serve as a bad precedent. We are better to discuss the bill with colleagues and make mutual decisions,” PM said.

The bill offers to revise ban on alcohol and tobacco advertising in media, permitting ads in set hours. Therefore, the bill is proposed to increase income of the media. 

Tobacco advertising is still prohibited on television and radio, electronic and print media as well as on outdoor advertising, retail and catering facilities.