The surrogate advertisement is a violation of section five of ‘Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act’ (COTPA) 2003, for promoting tobacco products
The Delhi State Tobacco Control Department has sent a showcause notice to Ajay Devgn and the Vimal Group of companies for a surrogate advertisement of tobaccos. The surrogate advertisement is a violation of section five of ‘Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act’ (COTPA) 2003, for promoting tobacco products. The notice points out on a promotional poster showing Devgn having tobacco. The company was served a showcause notice for a similar violation in 2016 and on repeated offense, the quantum of punishment increases. Under section 22 of COTPA 2003 for a repeat offense, the punishment is imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000. The company has now been instructed to immediately withdraw the advertisement and showcause within 10 days.
“In continuation of our efforts to protect youngsters from the influence of surrogate advertisement of tobaccos, we have issued this notice. In view, they are strictly instructed to immediately stop such kinds of endorsements/promotions of Tobacco brands and also clarify their position and to showcause within ten days, that why appropriate punitive action be not initiated against them as per the provisions under section 5 and section 22 of COTPA, 2003,” said Dr S K Arora, Additional Director, State Tobacco Control Officer, Delhi Health Department. The notice also stated that being a film star with a huge fan-following and a role model to many, it is Devgn’s duty to create awareness for a positive impact in public health rather than campaigning for tobacco brands, and thereby doing great harm to the society and contributing significantly in spreading the menace of tobaccos.
THE NOTICE
- The company has now been instructed to immediately withdraw the advertisement and showcause within 10 days.
- In 2016 the company had received a similar notice
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