Introduction

There are three regulations that specifically refer to alcohol marketing and advertising in Latvia. "Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law", "Radio and Television Law" and "Advertising Law". They all are statutory. The statutory "Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law" regulates various activities with alcoholic beverages (preparation for processing, processing, production, packaging, labelling, storage, loading, disembarking, transfer, transport, import, export, distribution, purchase, marketing, elimination etc.), as well as advertising of alcoholic beverages. The Law is applicable also to retail trade in alcoholic beverages on trains, aeroplanes and ships, if these means of transport are registered in Latvia.

The statutory "Radio and Television Law" determines the procedures for the formation, registration, operation and supervision of broadcasting organisations in the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia. The purpose of the "Advertising Law" is to regulate the production and
distribution of advertising, as well as to determine the rights, obligations and liabilities of persons involved in the production and distribution of advertising; to protect the interests of persons as well as the general public in the field of advertising; and to promote fair competition.

The National Radio and Television Council (henceforth - the Council) is an independent institution- a fully autonomous institution, which represents the interests of the public in the field of electronic mass media. The Council will be established by the Saeima, electing nine members to it. The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (henceforth - the Centre) is a State civil institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Economics, which protects consumer rights and interests. The Competition Council is a State civil institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Economics which realizes State policy in the field of competition development and protection.

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The text is derived from the ELSA project which is completed in 2007, but will be updated soon.