The Indian government is reportedly planning to ask the BCCI to ban and remove hoardings with smokeless tobacco advertisements, particularly surrogate ads by gutka manufacturers endorsed by Bollywood celebrities and former cricketers, in stadiums.
Several cricket grounds hosting tournaments such as the IPL have displayed advertisements for smokeless tobacco products, particularly Gutka and Pan Masala. In recent surrogate ads, public figures were shown promoting these brands by endorsing ‘elaichi’ mouth fresheners. In reality, however, these are all manufactured by companies who make tobacco product makers.
In particular, the Arun Jaitley Stadium, carrying hoardings of tobacco ads, developed a notorious reputation during India’s home matches. A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Vital Strategies, a global health organization, published in the British Medical Journal in May, asserted that as much as 41.3% of all surrogate ads of smokeless tobacco (SLT) brands in 2023 were displayed during the last 17 matches of the cricket world cup.
“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,” an official told Live Mint.
As per a report in the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco causes 1.35 million deaths every year.
Thus, as per a report in the Live Mint, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) that falls under the Indian health ministry, has requested the BCCI to stop surrogate advertising of tobacco products. Additionally, stadiums s that have advertisements for such products will also be asked to stop by the Ministry, as per the media report.
