China: New, stronger measures on tobacco advertising adopted

The amendment to the 21-year-old Advertisement Law was approved today by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress at its bimonthly session. The new law will take effect on 1 September 2015.

Tobacco advertisements will be forbidden on mass media and in public places, banning any kinds of advertisement targeting minors. Advertisements for other products or services should not include the brand, trademark, packaging, design and similar contents of tobacco products, according to the new law.

Tobacco product manufactures are also not allowed to use the name, trademark, packaging or design of tobacco product or content of such kind in its announcements for change of address, change of name or recruitment, among others. 

No exemption is provided specifically to the ban. Therefore, points-of-sales should also be covered by the ban on advertising.

More details are available at: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-04/24/c_134181946.htm