The Belgian federal government is calling for a ban on alcohol advertising in commercial breaks during television programs aimed at children and young people.
As reported by Belgian newspaper De Standaard, the plans have been confirmed by the Health Minister Frank Vandebnbroucke.
The partial ban on advertising is seen as the first step of a wider plan to combat the overconsumption of alcohol, with a particular focus placed on young people for whom excessive alcohol use can be particularly harmful.
Alongside limits to advertising for alcohol, there are also plans for the development of a new care program for young people with alcohol problems. This program will focus on helping young people who are admitted to hospital with alcohol intoxication. All those taken into medical care due to alcohol overdoses will be offered a place in this program.
The federal government has now determined its position on the matter but the final alcohol plan will not be confirmed until an inter-ministerial conference with the governments of each state, which will take place in December.
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