DTVHINDICricketers will no longer be seen in alcohol and tobacco advertisements, government wrote a letter to BCCI and SAI
It is disappointing to see surrogate endorsements of tobacco and/or alcohol related products by some of the most renowned cricketers and actors during a cricket event like the IPL – Director General of Health Services Atul Goel BCCI & SAI Logo (Photo Source: Getty Images) Everyone is aware of how the media controls people’s minds. Nowadays, advertisements of all kinds of products are shown in newspapers, TV, radio and digital media, which also include advertisements related to things like smoking, tobacco and alcohol. Sportsmen are also seen promoting such advertisements, which is sending a wrong message to the youth. The Health Ministry of the Central Government has now taken a big step in this matter, the Ministry has written a letter to BCCI and Sports Authority of India (SAI), requesting to ban the players from doing advertisements related to alcohol and tobacco. Atul Goyal targeted IPL Director General of Health Services Atul Goyal has expressed concern over surrogate advertisements for tobacco and alcohol related products during popular sporting events like IPL. Atul Goyal wrote in the letter, It is disappointing to see surrogate endorsements of tobacco and/or alcohol-related products by some of the most famous cricketers and actors during cricket events like the IPL. These personalities are role models for millions of youth across the country. Atul Goel also suggested several measures to address this issue. He suggested that both BCCI and SAI issue directives to players and cricketers within their reach and urge them not to participate in surrogate promotions or advertisements of tobacco-related products. Additionally, he recommended against promoting or advertising such products in stadiums or events organized by these organizations. Atul Goyal wrote at the end of the letter, Such measures will not only help reduce tobacco consumption among youth but will also strengthen the positive image of sportspersons as advocates of health and fitness.
“If tobacco or gutkha advertisement is seen in the stadium then…” Health Ministry in action, notice will be issued to BCCI
Tobacco-Ads-in-cricket-stadium The Union Health Ministry has recently announced that tobacco and gutkha advertisements will not be displayed in any stadium in India. Many cricket grounds hosting popular tournaments like IPL display tobacco advertisements, including those of gutkha-paan masala and chewing tobacco. Obviously, these advertisements earn a lot of money for BCCI. But this is pushing the youth of the country on the wrong path. Bollywood stars forget that they are role models for Indian youth and they proudly promote gutkha and tobacco. It is worth noting that cricket is celebrated like a festival in India and this game is very popular among the youth. There have been many cases in which smokeless tobacco advertisements have been shown during cricket matches and celebrity endorsements. This indirectly attracts the youth. Therefore, now there are reports that the DGHS of the Ministry of Health may write a letter to the BCCI and urge it to stop showing tobacco related advertisements. “These advertisements are actually advertisements of famous tobacco/gutkha brands and are being sold in the name of pan masala, cardamom and other food items to circumvent the laws. Delhi State Tobacco Control had issued many show cause notices to Bollywood and cricket stars. The advertisements of pan masala were rampant and were effectively stopped in many cases. After this, now they mostly promote tobacco in the name of fragrant cardamom.” 41.3% of World Cup ads were for tobacco A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and global health organisation Vital Strategies was published in the British Medical Journal in May. It reported that 41.3% of all surrogate advertising of smokeless tobacco (SLT) brands in 2023 were shown during the last 17 matches of the Cricket World Cup.
