Today the Authority for Fair Competition and Consumer Protection (AFCCP) strongly criticized several national vodka and beverage producers and fined them for illegal action regarding their advertising practices. O.Magnai, the chief of the AFCCP, urged the beverage companies, which violated the right of consumers, to pay the fines in five days.  He imposed fines to dozens of beverage and milk production companies, such as, APU LLC, Milk Co.Ltd, MCS Asia Pacific Brewery LLC, and SBB LLC.  During a meeting with representatives of the companies on September 26th, O.Magna istrongly advised them to stop illegal commercial advertisement. He said that if the companies failed to abide by the regulations and rules the AFCCP would cancel their licenses.

According to the law about advertisement, a company is not allowed to promote tobacco and alcohol.  Advertising for these products is only permitted during night time and companies must include the fact that tobacco is bad for your health.  O.Magnai noted that the companies did not obey the regulations and rules.

During the meeting O.Magnai said “I have no idea what policy the former government imposed on beverage and vodka producers, but, we will fight against the illegal advertisements. This is not a new problem.  When companies fail to follow the law, the fine seems lower because if such a thing happens again we will cancel their license. This is a new Government policy to ensure equal rights to everyone.”The Authority for Fair Competition and Consumer Protection is planning to meet with representatives of importing companies next time.