If the Union health ministry has its way, the ubiquitous surrogate advertisements designed to promote tobacco products will soon become history at cricket stadiums in India. According to a report, the ministry is set to ask the BCCI to stop showing such ads at venues during cricket matches.
Several cricket stadiums in India have gained notoriety for featuring surrogate ads that promote smokeless tobacco products and the government feels these have the tendency to attract youth, reports Live Mint.
“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 (Directorate General of Health Services) may communicate to the BCCI urging them to stop showing tobacco related ads in any form,” a DGHS official was quoted saying by the publication.
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As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey, tobacco is the cause of nearly 1.35 million deaths each year. The tobacco manufacturing companies promote their product in the garb of mouth freshener which are in turn are endorsed by high profile public figures including Bollywood actors and former cricketers.
The report further quoted a study by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Vital Strategies that 41.3% of all surrogate ads of smokeless tobacco last year were displayed during the final 17 matches of the ODI world cup.
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