‘Government should not have banned celebrities from endorsing alcoholic beverages’- Edem

Rapper Edem has expressed his displeasure about their inability to endorse alcoholic beverages after a ban was imposed on them by the Food & Drugs Authority (FDA).

In 2015, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) banned celebrities from advertising alcoholic beverages.

The FDA said at the time that the ban was not only in adherence to a World Health Organisation policy but was part of efforts to protect children and prevent them from being lured into alcoholism.

However, Edem believes the ban is inappropriate since celebrities were making big money through endorsements for the alcoholic beverage companies until the ban came into place.

He told Graphic Showbiz:

“Nothing is working in the entertainment field and the main problem is because the government has banned alcoholic beverage producers from sponsoring events and also stopped celebrities from endorsing alcoholic beverages which is so wrong.

It is pointless to say that because we are celebrities, we should not endorse an alcoholic product.

The companies have stated that the drink is for people above 18 years so how is the celebrity influencing underage people? They should kindly allow us to stay in business because the shows are not a lot.”

Edem said the ban’s negative impact was not only felt in reduced incomes for celebrities but entertainment events were also suffering.