Sufficient signatures for Blue Cross initiative
According to a statement released on Monday, the Blue Cross Zurich has collected the necessary signatures for the cantonal initiative to ban alcohol advertising in sports stadiums. The initiative aims to protect children and adolescents from alcohol advertising at sporting events.
Advertising for alcoholic beverages and sports are "fundamentally incompatible," according to the Blue Cross. The ban on advertising spirits in force at national level should be extended to all alcoholic beverages, it says. In August 2012, the Zurich cantonal association of the Blue Cross launched the cantonal popular initiative "No advertising of alcoholic beverages on sports fields as well as at sports events in the canton of Zurich". Already one month before the end of the collection period, the necessary 6000 signatures were received, writes the Blue Cross in its communication. However, the collection will continue until February.
An alcohol ban in sports stadiums actually already exists on paper, but is often disregarded. According to the cantonal health law, alcohol advertising is prohibited on public property and in public buildings. An ordinance explicitly mentions "cultural, educational and sports facilities" as "public buildings". The Blue Cross now wants to achieve a concrete legal regulation. It proposes an amendment to the health law with the wording "Prohibited is the advertising of any alcoholic beverages on sports fields as well as at sporting events." In the longer term, however, Blue Cross' commitment is aimed at obtaining a national ban on alcohol advertising in the sporting environment. (SDA)
