Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the "List of goods prohibited for advertising", Trend reported on October 20. The decision was made to optimize the country’s trade market and improve the legislation system.

The list includes 15 varieties of goods, stipulating ban on advertising of medical services for artificial violation of pregnancy; medical services for artificial insemination; doping means; medicines, which are given by prescription. This is utterly important to prevent negative effects caused by advertising of those goods and services among the country's population.

Advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products, including smoking pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, paper for cigarettes and lighters, is also prohibited in Azerbaijan in view of serious diseases that can be caused by smoking. Technique, treatment and rehabilitation methods which are prohibited by the Health Ministry, including hypnosis, non-contact, psychic or bio-energetic methods of treatment also are not allowed for advertising.

The country also banned gambling and unregistered lotteries.

Last year, Azerbaijan’s Law on Advertising was amended by a number of other restrictions. They included the prohibition on advertisement in textbooks and books intended for minors, advertising during theatrical performances and film shows, advertisement on buildings of state and municipal authorities, as well as historical and architectural monuments, advertising of all kinds of arms and military equipment, and others.

Recently, advertisement of biologically active food additives without informing that they are not medicines was also banned by the Azerbaijani Parliament. In this regard, officials will be fined for 300-500 manats ($185-308), and legal entities -- for 1,000-2,000 manats ($616-1,233).

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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