All publicly placed beer and wine advertisements must advise against drinking and driving by February 1 or risk being taken down, according to an announcement issued by the Phnom Penh municipal government on Monday and obtained by the Post  yesterday.

The directive, signed by governor Kep Chuktema, mandates that alcohol-related billboards and advertising signs must contain the warnings, “don’t drink and drive” and “drink responsibly”.

“In case they [beer and wine producers] don’t follow the directive, the Phnom Penh Municipality will take action by removing the billboards, without allowing them to advertise anymore,” the governor said.

In September, the governor banned the advertising of wine and spirits in a bid to curb driving causalities, however, Prime Minister Hun Sen later removed the ban.

Leang Veng, Director of Cambodia Beer, said he welcomed the directive of the municipality and that his company has already complied.