With these prices you keep on toasting? Does this sentence encourage alcohol consumption? No, is the answer of the Dutch Advertising Code Committee: this is normal advertising language, and it does certainly not incites irresponsible consumption.
The Code Committee dismissed the complaint against an advertisement of the famous Dutch liquor dealer Gall & Gall. There is no suggestion or encouragement of excessive alcohol consumption. And Article 18 of the self regulatory Advertising Code for Alcoholic Beverage (RVA) - in which is stated that collective advertising for a specific type of alcohol is not permitted - is not violated.
In the digital newsletter of Gall & Gall the following texts were used "With these prices. ... you keep on toasting!" and "Always 100 wines priced under 5 euro”. The complainant (I would not be suprised if STAP is the complainant*) was of the opinion that this encouraged excessive consumption of wine. And that would be contrary to article 1 RVA. The complainant argued that according to literature a low price for alcohol contributes to alcohol consumption. And the word ‘toasting’ can be replaced by 'drinking'. The Code Committee did not follow the complainant: The consumer will consider the texts as usual advertising exaggeration. One does usually not toast more than once. Moreover, with one glass several toasts can be made.
The complaint also related to the front page of the booklet '100 Wines' of Gall & Gall. The text "Always 100 wines priced under 5 euro" was placed against the background of bottles of unbranded wines. In view of the complainant that was a violation of article 18 RVA.
The Code Committee does also dismiss this claim. In the opinion of the Commission, the front page of the book '100 Wines' should not be assessed apart. But combined with the content of the booklet. So the booklet in its entirety is an advertisement for Gall & Gall.
The wines on the front page are all included in the booklet. All under the designation of place, region or country of origin. According to the Code Committee that is in accordance with Article 18 RVA:
“Advertising for alcoholic beverages is only permitted with designation of the brand or trade name, and in the case of wine, also with designation of the place or region of origin.”
Gall & Gall does not have to change the front page of its book "100 Wines".
Kim Braber
* Nederlands Instituut for Alcoholbeleid (Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy)
Read the decision here
|
office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
With these prices you keep on toasting? Does this sentence encourage alcohol consumption? No, is the answer of the Dutch Advertising Code Committee: this is normal advertising language, and it does certainly not incites irresponsible consumption.
The Code Committee dismissed the complaint against an advertisement of the famous Dutch liquor dealer Gall & Gall. There is no suggestion or encouragement of excessive alcohol consumption. And Article 18 of the self regulatory Advertising Code for Alcoholic Beverage (RVA) - in which is stated that collective advertising for a specific type of alcohol is not permitted - is not violated.
In the digital newsletter of Gall & Gall the following texts were used "With these prices. ... you keep on toasting!" and "Always 100 wines priced under 5 euro”. The complainant (I would not be suprised if STAP is the complainant*) was of the opinion that this encouraged excessive consumption of wine. And that would be contrary to article 1 RVA. The complainant argued that according to literature a low price for alcohol contributes to alcohol consumption. And the word ‘toasting’ can be replaced by 'drinking'. The Code Committee did not follow the complainant: The consumer will consider the texts as usual advertising exaggeration. One does usually not toast more than once. Moreover, with one glass several toasts can be made.
The complaint also related to the front page of the booklet '100 Wines' of Gall & Gall. The text "Always 100 wines priced under 5 euro" was placed against the background of bottles of unbranded wines. In view of the complainant that was a violation of article 18 RVA.
The Code Committee does also dismiss this claim. In the opinion of the Commission, the front page of the book '100 Wines' should not be assessed apart. But combined with the content of the booklet. So the booklet in its entirety is an advertisement for Gall & Gall.
The wines on the front page are all included in the booklet. All under the designation of place, region or country of origin. According to the Code Committee that is in accordance with Article 18 RVA:
“Advertising for alcoholic beverages is only permitted with designation of the brand or trade name, and in the case of wine, also with designation of the place or region of origin.”
Gall & Gall does not have to change the front page of its book "100 Wines".
Kim Braber
* Nederlands Instituut for Alcoholbeleid (Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy)
Read the decision here