India Plans Stricter Advertising Regulations for Liquor Companies

• India is set to introduce new rules banning surrogate ads and event sponsorships by liquor companies like Carlsberg, Pernod Ricard, and Diageo.
• The new regulations will penalize misleading ads and hold endorsing celebrities accountable, with fines up to 5 million rupees and endorsement bans.
• The changes could significantly impact the $45 billion Indian alcohol market, affecting major players like United Breweries, Diageo, and Pernod Ricard.
• The draft rules aim to curb indirect advertising tactics, such as promoting non-alcoholic products with similar branding to alcohol products.
• The World Health Organization supports such measures, citing their effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption and related health issues.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-plans-tougher-ad-curbs-liquor-makers-such-carlsberg-diageo-pernod-2024-08-04/