Synopsis
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has formally requested the Indian Premier League to ban tobacco and alcohol advertisements during the upcoming cricket season, asserting the significant health risks associated with such promotions and the role of sports figures in influencing youth.Key Takeaways
- Ban on tobacco and alcohol ads during IPL events.
- Letter from MoHFW emphasizes health risks.
- Call for regulating surrogate advertising.
- Promotion of healthy lifestyles by players.
- Cricket players as role models for youth.
New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has urged officials of the Indian Premier League to impose a ban on all types of advertisements promoting tobacco and alcohol during forthcoming sports events.
In a significant letter addressed to Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairperson of IPL, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, emphasized the necessity to regulate tobacco and alcohol advertising, including surrogate promotions and sales, as the cricket season approaches, starting March 22.
This ban will apply not only to the stadium premises but also to live broadcasts on television.
According to Goel’s letter dated March 5, "The IPL, being India’s most viewed sports event, should refrain from any direct or indirect promotion of tobacco or alcohol across platforms associated with sports. Such promotions send a contradictory message regarding health and fitness to the public.”
He highlighted that tobacco and alcohol contribute significantly to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the nation, which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and hypertension, accounting for over 70 percent of annual deaths.
“The use of tobacco and alcohol are critical risk factors for NCDs. India holds the second position globally in tobacco-related deaths, with nearly 1.4 million fatalities each year, while alcohol is recognized as the most commonly used psychoactive substance among Indians,” stated the health ministry official.
The correspondence, also sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, urged IPL officials to “rigorously enforce” the regulations prohibiting all forms of tobacco and alcohol promotion, including surrogate advertisements, “within stadiums where IPL games and related events occur, as well as during telecasts on national television.”
Moreover, the sale of tobacco and alcohol products must be strictly controlled “during all affiliated events and in sports facilities.”
The letter also called for discouragement of endorsements by sports personalities (including commentators) who either directly or indirectly promote products associated with tobacco or alcohol.
It reminded that “cricket players serve as role models for youth,” and endorsing tobacco or alcohol can adversely influence the young audience. Instead, they should advocate for “a healthy, active lifestyle.” Goel urged IPL to recognize its “social and moral responsibility to promote public health and support the government’s health initiatives.”
