PLAYERS in the Tourism Industry are urging MPs not to the pass Alcoholic Drinks Control Act Bill 2012 arguing it will have adverse economic implications on their business.

The bill is due for debate in parliament tomorrow and industry players are concerned that If it is passed in its current form it will have adverse economic implications on the industry.

The bill seeks to ban promotion of alcoholic beverages in a manner that encourages consumption among other measures. It also seeks to ban sale of alcohol two days prior to election date.

It amends provisions in the Alcoholic drinks control Act of 2010 which resulted in massive changes to operations for businesses that deal with alcohol in a move to curtail the use of illicit liquor and alcohol abuse in the country.

The Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya already blames the existing strict alcohol laws for closure of five major entertainment clubs and restaurants in the Coast region.

Tourism industry players last month blamed the laws for job losses in the entertainment industry and lose in allure of the Coast region which is popular with both domestic and international tourists.