Court drops petition against warnings on booze
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The Central Administrative Court yesterday dropped a petition lodged by five alcoholic beverage makers against the Office of Alcohol Control Committee's order requiring them to publish written and pictorial warnings on the hazard of drinking on labels.
The ruling said that though drinking does not immediately cause negative effects or health hazards, it was common knowledge that alcohol is intoxicating and can cause long-term health hazards. Such warnings are informative and help the public to know and realise negative results stemming from drinking, the ruling said.
The court also dismissed claims by the five manufacturers, both local and foreign, that the order was unconstitutional and disrupted their business, saying the practice of including these warnings on labels was backed by two Articles.
Under the commission’s requirements, the warnings include messages that alcohol can cause cancer, sexual impotence, can result in injuries and death from drunk driving, is behind aggressive behaviour and crime, can hurt families and cause social problems. Manufacturers have a choice of which warning they want to opt for.
The complaint from the alcohol makers also implicated a former prime minister and former public health minister, as they tried to enforce the commission’s order.
