Liquor warning display no longer mandatory

T'Puram IN a boost for the film industry, the state government is moving to decriminalise offences for not exhibiting the statutory warning against liquor consumption at screenings or for issuing advertisements on liquor. No one has been convicted in the state on both counts, Excise Minister M B Rajesh said on Wednesday.

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The minister was replying to a discussion on the Kerala Abkari (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to decriminalise both offences. Once enacted, violators of both provisions cannot be taken to court.

As per law, the penalty for showing scenes of liquor or liquor consumption at film screenings in theatres without the warning "consumption of alcohol is injurious to health" is imprisonment up to six months or a maximum fine of ₹10,000, or both. The penalty for unlawful liquor advertisements is a jail term extending up to six months or fine of ₹25,000 tops, or both.