This year there are municipal and county council elections, and many municipalities will change mayors when the calendar shows September. In Bodø, Ann-Kristin Moldjord (Ap) and former fisheries minister Odd-Emil Ingebrigtsen (H) will duel in front of an audience to show that they are worthy mayoral candidates. The only problem is that inside the event there is advertising for “sausages, lager and politics”. Sausages and politics are not problematic in themselves. But advertising that lager is served on the premises is not allowed. Case manager for serving, serving and sales, Linda Rostad, confirms this. – It is not allowed to tempt someone to drink alcohol. The fact that they write it this way violates the Alcohol Act. This text was too strong for the legislation we have against alcohol advertising. The organizer changes the text It is BRUS (Bodøregionen’s development company) and Bodø Næringsforum that are the organizers of the event. The debate will be held in the premises of Bådin bryggerier, a local beer brewer that has an area with a liquor licence. Elnar Remi Holmen is general manager of BRUS, and says that it was not the intention to break the law. – I just want to say that we were not aware of this, and this is completely new to us. We must of course follow the law, and we will change this as soon as possible. Elnar Remi Holmen, general manager at BRUS. Photo: Synnøve Sundby Fallmyr / news Holmen says that it was not their intention to either promote or tempt anyone to drink beer or other alcoholic beverages at the event. – It is a mistake on our part. The responsibility lies solely with us, and not with the catering venue that we have hired. We take on all the responsibility and lay flat, says Holmen. – It is perhaps not an event that is reserved for those who drink lager, or eat sausages, for that matter? – No, this is a free event. You can of course buy goods within the pub regulations, but this event is open to everyone. Holmen refers to previous discussions around the alcohol law, and believes that it might be an idea for the politicians to look at the regulations. – It just shows how complex the alcohol legislation is. We obviously have to follow the law, but it might make sense for someone to look at it. Andreas Myrvold is general manager of Bådin breweries, and doesn’t mind spending time writing about what he believes is a non-issue. Photo: Kai Jæger Kristoffersen / news Criticizing the focus Andreas Myrvold is the general manager of Bådin brewery, where the debate will be held. He criticizes both the media and the legislation when he learns what has happened. – I think this is a non-issue. I don’t think that people get a craving for beer just because it said “pils” in the registration link for the event. He believes that the legislation is unnecessarily complicated, and that the authorities and the media should not go after those who unknowingly break the law. – I feel confident that they did not think that they were breaking the law when they wrote about this. Instead of going after those who have unknowingly broken the law, you should make a case about how complex the law is, and how Norwegian companies are losing ground to foreign companies that can freely advertise in social media, and go on Norwegian TV channels through sports events. The first mayoral duel between Ann-Kristin Moldjord (Ap) and Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen (H) will be held in Bodø on 7 February. Photo: BRUS Gives a warning Last week, the bar Rosendal in Kvinnherad municipality received a tick from the liquor control, when they advertised with a drink emoji on a post on Facebook. Since then, there has been a debate about what constitutes alcohol advertising, a debate that was fully taken up in the Storting, where Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol supported the decision. Linda Rostad says that the organizer in Bodø can expect a phone call with a warning that they must change the text. – Initially, they will not be penalized, but it depends on how they react to the inquiry. We are in the thinking box now, how to take care of the law, and what to prioritize based on the resources we have. Linda Rostad, case manager in Bodø municipality. Photo: Privat She says she welcomes a debate about the law. – The Alcohol Act exists to limit access to alcohol, from a health perspective. At the same time, it is from 1989, and it is a complicated law that can be interpreted in many different ways. I can say that there is a conversation among us case managers now, whether the resources should be used for alcohol advertising, or whether priority should be given to more serious matters. – Because there are many examples of pubs breaking the alcohol law on advertising? – There has been a lot. I could set aside all my time to do alcohol advertising, but if I did, almost no one would have received grants, she concludes.
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Broke the law when they advertised “sausages, lager and politics” for the mayoral debate – news Nordland
