Pan-masala Co cheated me: Pierce Brosnan

In a written response to a show-cause notice from the Tobacco Control Cell for promoting a tobacco product, Irish actor Pierce Brosnan communicated via his lawyer that he was cheated by the company. They did not disclose the hazardous nature of the product and the other terms/conditions of the contract advertisement. The Bond actor was served the notice in February for endorsing a tobacco-based pan masala in a surrogate advertisement last year.

Brosnan has also confirmed that he will never assist any company in promoting harmful products in the future and now, since his contract with Pan Baahar has ended, he will co-operate with the department to stop the campaign.

"My aim behind these show-cause notices is not policing them," said Dr S K Arora, Additional Director, State Tobacco Control Officer, department of Health, Delhi government, "but to make these celebrities realize their responsibility towards society. But of course, if they do not mend their ways, there is the legal course to proceed in public interest." The 64-year-old actor might also have to pay fine of Rs 5,000 or go to prison for two years.

The Department has now appealed all the celebrities and mass media agencies to not indulge in 'surrogate advertisements' of tobacco products in the name of pan masala, tea, or elaichi. "These are prohibited under section 5 of COTPA and are a punishable offence under section 22 of COTPA," said Arora.