In a recent interview on TV3’s NewDay, George Quaye, Chief Executive Officer of Image Bureau, criticised the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for its directive to prohibit celebrities from appearing in alcohol advertisements.
Quaye described the FDA’s decision as discriminatory, particularly targeting a specific group of individuals.
According to him his first exposure to alcohol was from home.
“I think we just need to let everyone understand, we are not against the FDA. Popular people have kids, and we don’t want our children to be exposed to any ill health. My first exposure to alcohol was from the home and not from celebrity advertising, so lets not discriminate against a group of people. The FDA needs to find a way to let us sit and agree, “ he suggested.
Backgrond
The FDA in its guidelines for the Advertisement of Foods published on February 1, 2016 stipulates that “No well-known personality or professional shall be used in alcoholic beverage advertising.”
The Authority explained that the guideline was necessary to prevent minors from being addicted to alcohol due to the influence of celebrities.
The FDA further noted that the ban was in adherence with a policy by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and also part of efforts to protect children and young ones from being lured into alcoholism.
However, a citizen Mark Darlington filed a suit against the FDA’s directive praying the Apex court to hold as unconstitutional the directive as it violated the right against discrimination as guaranteed by Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.
But the Supreme court in a 5-2 majority decision on Wednesday, June 19 dismissed the case and upheld the FDA’s directive.
The court held that the directive by FDA was not unreasonable and excessive, adding that it didn’t contravene the provision of the constitution.
Source: 3news
