Beer and spirits advertising is to be banned from television and billboards in Kenya to protect young people from becoming hooked, local media reported Friday.

According to the Daily Nation newspaper, the date from which the ban will take effect will be announced within two weeks by Attorney General Amos Wako.

The laws needed to enforce the new policy were being finalized by Wako, the Office of the President and the Ministry of Health, the Kenyan government said Thursday.

Health Minister Charity Ngilu is also expected to outline the government's position on tobacco use and advertising on Friday.

The announcement on beer and spirits advertising inflicts a new assault on the drinks industry, just a day after duty on beer went up by 10 percent in Kenya's new budget.

It also followed the February move to ban liquor and tobacco companies from advertising near schools, following a complaint by the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drugs Abuse.

It is estimated that Kenyans spent 30 billion shillings (about 395 million US dollars) on cigarettes and other kinds of tobacco last year.

The government is also reviewing the law to create standards for alcoholic drinks, said government spokesman Alfred Mutua on Thursday, announcing the intended ban.

Source: Xinhua