APCON Withdraws Alcoholic Certificates From Guinness

According to a report on The Guardian Nigeria, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has through its Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) committee, withdrawn all the certificates of approval previously granted to Guinness Nigeria Plc for advertising its alcoholic beverages, until further notice.

ASP is a committee which is empowered by APCON to ensure compliance with, and maintenance of advertising standards and laws in Nigeria.

The Guardian Nigeria quotated a letter signed by the Registrar/Chief Executive of APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi (fpra), and sent to the Managing Director Guinness Nigeria Plc, states inter alia” I am directed to intimate you of the decision of the Council approving with immediate effect and until further notice, the withdrawal of all approvals hitherto granted, to you Guinness Nig Plc for exposure of all alcoholic beverage adverts for your brand of products.

“Councils position is that it cannot fold its arms and allow impunity in disregard of the law by any person or organisation no matter how large it may be and it would fail in its duty to protect our children and promote public safety if it did otherwise than intervene as it has now done.

“Please note that you are expected to ensure compliance with the decision of the Council immediately. All media houses and sector regulators are advised by this letter to implement the decision of Council and ensure compliance. Attention is particularly drawn to Article 140 of APCON Code which provides penalty for publication/exposure of advert without ASP approval has now by virtue of this letters been withdrawn with respect to all Guinness advertisements.”