Report: BCCI and Union Health Ministry take measures to stop Tobacco Ads

New Delhi: In a recent move affecting the viewers as well as broadcasters, the BCCI and the Union Health Ministry have taken a joint resolution to ban surrogate tobacco ads at cricket venues across the country. Cricket in India is not merely a sport rather it is treated as a religion which triggers a wide range of viewership running across age groups.

NO TOBACCO OR GUTKA ADS IN STADIUM. 🏟️

– The Union Health Ministry planning to ask the BCCI to stop promoting all Tobacco and Gutka ads in cricket stadiums. (LiveMint). pic.twitter.com/PFX7ReFHzR

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 15, 2024

Therefore, to curb this ‘negative’ influence on the young population, the above decision has been taken. The report said that most of these ads are targeted towards the youth which makes them influenced towards these ads negatively. As a result of this ruling, no present or former cricketer or Bollywood celebrity will be allowed to advertise these health-hazard substances on hoardings.

The decision taken when becomes a decree will ban Tobacco products under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and the Cable Television Network Rules.

“Cricket matches are popular among youths…”

The report that was published recently by BCCI read that “Cricket matches are popular among the young population. There have been multiple instances wherein surrogate smokeless tobacco ads are being displayed during cricket matches and celebrity endorsements happening. This tends to indirectly attract the youths. The health ministry’s DGHS may communicate to the BCCI urging them to stop showing tobacco-related ads in any form.”

हेल्थ मिनिस्ट्री BCCI से बात करके तंबाकू और गुटखा के प्रचार पर रोक लगा सकती है- रिपोर्टस

इसके अलावा जो अभिनेता इलायची के नाम पर तंबाकू का प्रचार करते हैं उन पर भी रोक लगाई जा सकती है#HealthMinistry | Tobacco Ads | #TobaccoAds #BCCI pic.twitter.com/zlRom9uBrd

— 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐘𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐯 (@shivayadavXX) July 16, 2024

Furthermore, the officials acknowledged the fact that although India is doing its part to stop these ads from trickling down, more proactive measures are required to shield youngsters from these ads.

Dr SK Arora, the former Tobacco Control Cell head at the Delhi government also shared his insights into how under his tenure, the former made sure that neither Hollywood nor any Bollywood celebrities would be allowed any publicity for Tobacco products. The decision was taken after advertisements about tobacco products became rampant.