The alcohol advertising revisited by MPs – Liberation

On the same subject

Coup de knife in Evin law. On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, members of the special commission to look at second reading on the bill have Macron, against the advice of the government, endorsed the Senate version of the alcohol advertising.

An almost provocation at the site of the Health Minister, Marisol Touraine. Which, in the wake of the spokesman of the government, Stéphane Le Foll, had on Monday morning on the waves made a casus belli of such retouching in Evin law: “The Macron law can be used to unravel the public health policies “, had she rebelled. After some procrastination cabinet, the Executive tandem had stowed in his opinion, directing the end of the afternoon the Minister of Economy, Emmanuel Macron, to reaffirm the government’s opposition to the whims of parliamentarians drawn largely viticultural districts to clarify the concept of alcohol advertising.

It was not counting the determination of elected raising what they consider an obstacle to the promotion of a structuring activity for their local economies. At two in the morning the dozen MPs present in committee, from all labels, voted overwhelmingly legislative developments they were called for: only communication operations on a product or service covered by a private interest must be regarded as advertising for alcohol.

“Development of wine tourism ‘

” I was in the maneuver, recognizes Gilles Savary, PS deputy of Gironde and rapporteur Macron bill. Contrary to what the fundamentalists want to believe the health lobby, we are not mindless, prisoners of indescribable lobby. What it is is a very marginal changes in the Evin law. “ MEPs for lack of precise legal definition of alcohol advertising, jurisprudence (including a judgment of the Supreme Court of 30 November 2004) gave a very wide acceptance .

“Any reference in an article or report to an alcoholic drink, even a generic title can be equated to advertising,” says Denys Robiliard, other PS rapporteur favors the change. He adds: “In practice, prosecutions are rare. Nevertheless, the existing risk, this causes self-censorship in the press. “ And so, in the opinion of elected officials, too little coverage of events organized tastings, winery tours or campaigns enotourist. “Now the government itself competes to encourage the development of wine tourism …” Gilles Savary slides.

“A blow to public health”

The only MP to have higher against in committee, the Socialist Dominique Lefebvre rebelled: “I was social adviser Michel Rocard [Matignon] at the time of the Evin law and there I I ended twenty-four years back because it’s exactly the same debate, in the same terms. This amendment opens a gap which, beyond the symbol, will tomorrow, by forms of indirect editorial advertising, promote products harmful to health when eaten in excess. “

A view shared by Marisol Touraine. Upon hearing the news Thursday, the Congress of the mutuality, the minister reacted strongly. “I am angry, she said. The vote last night is a blow to public health. I want to remind that the Evin Law allows for thirty years to coach and not to ban alcohol advertising. This balance between public health interests and the economic interests worked. He must not touch it. “

Do not bother for the Minister of Health to stop there. However, even if the government has the power to file an amendment deleting Article 62 ter offending, the Touraine entourage says that the game is not won. The final arbitration belong to Francois Hollande, whose agenda includes a few winemaking steps. Starting with the opening of the international exhibition of wine and spirits, Vinexpo in Bordeaux Sunday.