Moves to curb surrogate liquor advertising with hefty fines

The Center government is set to crack down on surrogate advertising by liquor companies, introducing draft rules that could impose fines of up to Rs 50 lakh.

This move targets companies that circumvent the ban on direct alcohol advertising by promoting other products, such as water, CDs, or glassware, which closely resemble their liquor brands. The new rules explicitly prohibit the marketing and branding of non-alcoholic items with labels, designs, or logos similar to those of alcohol products.

Liquor companies in India could face significant penalties, including fines and advertising bans ranging from one to three years, if found to violate the stipulated norms. This initiative seeks to close loopholes that allow indirect promotion of alcohol, reinforcing the government’s commitment to curbing misleading advertising practices.