radio and restrict hard liquor commercials to late-night programmes.

They also want tighter controls on phone-ins to cut the risk of abuse or slander from callers.

Fines for broadcasters who break the rules would also be stiffer.

The proposals, due to come into effect next month after being debated in Parliament, come from the independent Broadcasting Commission.

Commission chairwoman Mrs. Louise Jackson said last night: "I have long advocated the banning of tobacco advertising on radio and TV. It's been off radio and TV in just about every other developed country in the world.

"We're very late playing catch-up here.

"As far as I'm concerned alcohol is a drug and it really ought not to be advertised during prime-time.'' Government has worked closely with the commission on new restrictions on alcohol commercials.

Telecommunications Minister Sen. the Hon. Mike Winfield said a special Cabinet committee had been studying the alcohol situation.

"Something had to be done about it, and I think the consensus was that this message was important.

"We're eliminating all cigarette advertising from both radio and TV and we're limiting the amount of alcohol advertising there can be.

"We're also stating that in alcohol advertising there should be a warning, much the same as you find on cigarette packets.'' Mrs. Jackson said the proposed rules had been drawn up with the help of local stations.