France: Political Struggle Over Loi Evin
The health minister of France wants the Loi Evin – France’s alcohol control law – extended while a group of 105 MPs of the ruling party proposed relaxing the law.
A relaxation of the legislation, in place since 1991, has been widely discussed in France and 105 members of parliament (MPs) from the ruling La République en Marche party proposed a law to relax the legislation “in a supervised manner.”
The health minister of France, Agnès Buzyn suggested the Loi Evin, which among other stipulations prohibits the sale of alcohol in sports stadiums, should be extended to include the alcohol consumption in hospitality boxes.
The question is perhaps rather to take away alcohol from VIP boxes, and in any case certainly not increase its distribution,” said Agnès Buzyn, French Health Minister, as per Sport Business.
The Loi Evin also restricts the advertising and promotion of alcohol at sports venues. For example the leading European club rugby competition is referred to as the H Champions Cup as title sponsor Heineken cannot be directly referenced.
According to Buzyn, any relaxation of the law “would also allow [alcohol] advertisements”, and “clearly it is impossible to convey this image of alcohol while sport must express a positive image of public health.”
It is an ideal time for sport to promote health and make young people want to have the right habits,” added Health Minister Buzyn, as per Sport Business.
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