'Ittefaq' team served notice for promoting smoking

Couple of days after the release of Ittefaq, Delhi health department slashed notices to the Director and Producer of the thriller movie under Section five of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 for promoting smoking. The notice points out that a promotional poster shows one of the actors lighting a cigarette.

"We have sent a notice under COTPA Act to Karan Johar, his production house, and the director of the movie for promoting smoking. One of the promotional posters show Akshaye Khanna lighting a cigarette, which encourages younger generation and promotes tobacco," said Dr SK Arora, Additional Director, State Tobacco Control Officer, Delhi Health Department.

"It has been three days since we sent out the notice via speed post (and e-mailed), but we have not heard anything from them so far. If we do not hear for another four days, we will send a strict compliance notice to take down this promotional poster from everywhere including social media sites," he adds.

Section 5 of COTPA act states: "No person engaged in, or purported to be engaged in the production, supply or distribution of cigarettes or any other tobacco products shall advertise and no person having control over a medium shall cause to be advertised cigarettes or any other tobacco products through that medium and no person shall take part in any advertisement which directly or indirectly suggests or promotes the use or consumption of cigarettes or any other tobacco products. No person, shall, under a contract or otherwise promote or agree to promote the use or consumption of Cigarettes or any other tobacco product."

Movie Poster

The promotional poster of the movie, which does not display any warning, shows actor Akshaye Khanna lighting a cigarette.