The National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) enacted the law on March 7, which prohibits the sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages at a reduced price, advertising, free samples, and holding lucky draw promotions.

The law shall be called the Excise Law, and the term “Excise” mean alcoholic liquors and excisable articles.

The law consists of 18 chapters and 99 sections.

Section 68 of Chapter 16 of the law states that no one shall sell or give alcohol to religious workers, persons of unsound mind, persons under the age of 18, or persons specified by law. If convicted of violating this prohibition, the person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than six months or a fine of not less than two million kyats and not more than five million kyats.

Section 69 of Chapter 16 of the law states that no person shall sell alcohol or intoxicating liquor through automatic vending machines, or sell it online to the public for consumption, or erect billboards, display advertisements, hang up advertisements, distribute leaflets or otherwise advertise, or sell it by reducing the regular price to increase sales, free samples, conducting a lucky draw program or giving additional gifts on purchase, and that any person who is convicted of violating any of these prohibitions shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or with a fine not less than 10 million kyats and not more than 30 million kyats, or with both.

Section 70 of Chapter 16 states that no person, except a person holding a liquor license, shall possess liquor in excess of the quantity or quantity prescribed under Section 35. If convicted of violating this prohibition, the person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or with a fine not less than 2 million kyats and not more than 5 million kyats, or with both.