The amended Law will prohibit, as of 1 November 2016, advertising of price reductions for alcoholic beverages, organisation of not only competitions but also games, discount campaigns, or lotteries that could encourage purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages. As amended, the Law will also prohibit enabling customers to win a prize, receive gifts or free extras to alcoholic beverages immediately and/or within a certain time frame or having fulfilled certain conditions after concluding a consumer sales contract. In addition, the new amendments will prohibit application of fixed discounts on alcoholic beverages to owners of coupons not only printed in mass media but also distributed by other means or treat the coupons as means of partial or full payment.
In addition to the prohibitions mentioned above, the Law currently in effect prohibits distribution of alcoholic beverages as a bonus, a free extra to an item of goods or as a gift; organisation of distribution of alcoholic beverage samples free of charge, except for tasting events at exhibitions and fairs; sale of specialised advertising publications printed in the Republic of Lithuania or abroad and imported into the Republic of Lithuania with the intention of promoting the sale of alcoholic beverages. It is also prohibited to invite, as assistants in promotion campaigns, persons under 18 years of age.
In accordance with the adopted amendments, the prohibitions will apply as of November 2016 not only to companies licenced to engage in trade in alcoholic beverages but also to any companies, legal persons established in Europe and their branches.
