NEWS
3RD TIME IN A YEAR, BUDWEISER CHINA FINED AGAIN FOR VIOLATING CHINESE ADVERT LAWS
By Tony Zhu
26-11-2021
Credit: Linus Mimietz/Unsplash
Budweiser China has been fined RMB 250,000 (USD39,000) by Shanghai authorities for violated Chinese advertising laws, the third time for the company in a year.
The punishment is related to a promotional video launched on 14 May this year on Hoegaarden’s official WeChat page featuring a beer drinking scene. Hoegaarden is owned by AB Inbev which is the mother company of the Budweiser brand.
Budweiser China was accused by Shanghai authorities for breaching advertising laws, as the clip included a scene showing alcohol consumption, which is not allowed in China’s advertising laws.
Apart from the fine, the company was also instructed to remove the video from its WeChat page.
Chinese advertising laws do not allow advertisers to promote drinking, showcase the act of drinking or show activities such as operating cars, boats or aircrafts while promoting an alcohol brand. They also are banned from implying that alcohol relieves stress or anxiety.
Violation of the laws can lead to penalties for up to RMB1 million (USD156,250).
This is not the first time Budweiser China violated Chinese advertising laws, the company was fined RMB 200,000 by Shanghai authorities on 25 May 2021 for carrying misleading descriptions in their adverts.
The company was again fined RMB 600,000 by Shanghai authorities on 27 May 2021 for releasing two adverts during Halloween last year showing violent and horror scenes.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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