President Boris Yeltsin has sent Russia's advertising industry reeling by banning tobacco and alcohol advertisements. In the last 3 years Russia's advertising market has seen media organisations catering to Western multinationals who have been vying to get a toehold in the country. The tobacco and alcohol markets have seen an almost uncontrolled growth, worrying the health authorities no end. The ad-makers, backed by their clients, however, argue that self-regulation would prove more effective. They have already drawn up a code of practice promising to restrict their television advertising to the late-evening slots.