Health Ministry Orders BCCI to Stop Tobacco and Gutka Promotions in Stadiums
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The Union health ministry is looking into urging the BCCI to stop advertising tobacco, specifically surrogate ads promoted by gutka manufacturers and endorsed by former cricketers at stadiums.
Many cricket venues hosting major tournaments like the IPL prominently feature advertisements for smokeless tobacco products, including Gutka—a blend of pan masala and chewing tobacco.
“Cricket matches widely popular among young population. There have been multiple instances wherein surrogate smokeless tobacco ads are being displayed during cricket matches and celebrity endorsement 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,” said an official aware of the matter requesting anonymity.
Interestingly, tobacco manufacturers promote gutka as ‘pan masala’ to circumvent bans on tobacco advertising. Surrogate ads exploit these pan masala campaigns to promote gutka products that closely resemble their names and packaging.
In addition to Bollywood celebrities, former cricketers endorsing gutka include Chris Gayle, Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, and Kapil Dev.
Read Original Content: Health Ministry Orders BCCI to Stop Tobacco and Gutka Promotions in Stadiums
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