Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law prohibiting advertising alcohol drinks in the Russian segment of the Internet and print media, the Kremlin said.

The ban on alcohol advertisements on the internet comes into force since the day of the official publication of the law. Advertisements in print media will be banned starting 1, 2013, as these media have annual contracts and should have the opportunity to fulfill their terms.

Experts and market participants polled by Prime news agency said it would be hard to enforce the ban and it might result in an outflow of advertisers to foreign websites.