ALCOHOL: BAN ON TV ADVERTS FOR ALCOHOL 'DOES NOT BREAK THE LAW'

摘要

Antonio Tizzano, the first Advocate-General of the European Union Court of Justice, has indicated that neither the Television without Frontiers Directive nor the principle of freedom to provide services enshrined in the EC Treaty preclude the prohibition laid down by French law regarding televised advertising of alcoholic beverages. Mr Tizzano delivered his Opinion on March 11 on the compatibility of France's controversial Loi Evin on the prohibition on televised advertising of alcoholic beverages with Community law. He suggests such a prohibition does indeed constitute a restriction on the freedom to provide services but is justified by the objective of protecting public health. The Court of Justice is not bound by the Advocate-General's Opinion and will now begin its deliberations in this case. The judgment will be delivered at a later date.