NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry, through its director general of health services (DGHS), has asked the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all tobacco and alcohol advertising, including surrogate promotions, within stadium premises during matches as well as telecast sessions on national television.
The government’s request comes ahead of the IPL season starting March 22.
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In a letter to IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, DGHS Atul Goel urged for prohibiting the sale of tobacco/alcohol products in all affiliated events and sports facilities.
“Discourage promotion of sports, sportspersons, including commentators, who directly or indirectly endorse products linked to alcohol or tobacco,” he added.
In Augusut last year too, the DGHS had shot off a similar letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to discourage cricketers from participating in surrogate advertisements of tobacco and/or alcohol-related products.
According to DGHS Goel, discouraging surrogate advertising of tobacco and/or alcohol related products by sportspersons would help in reducing the consumption of these harmful products among the youth.
