The Legislature has endorsed a bill restricting the advertising of alcoholic beverages, in the first reading.

No drinks will thus be promoted in schools, hospitals or institutions related to minors.

The ads will be banned on radio and TV from 7:00 through 22:00.

"Alcoholism is a big problem in Moldova, but we realize it’s not because of the advertising. It’s a social issue first of all," said PDM law-maker Dumitru Diacov.

According to official statistics, 200 people from 100,000 annually die because of diseases caused by alcohol, as 47,000 addicts are officially recorded.