Remove ads of alcoholic drinks in airports: Ramadoss

NEW DELHI: Irked over the "grandiose" display of advertisements of alcoholic drinks in airports, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has asked his counterpart in the Civil Aviation ministry to have them removed as they were legally banned in the country.
    
In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Ramadoss, citing various scientific and technical studies, requested him to issue specific instructions to the concerned authorities as advertisements of alcoholic drinks are already legally banned in the electronic and print media.
    
The Health Minister in the letter dated August 25 expressed his disappointment over the "grandiose display inside airports of various cities throughout the country aiming to advertise alcoholic drinks with famous brand names" in the form of large size hoardings, vinyl boards and banners.
    
He said that despite the advertisements being banned, the hoardings were still on display at various airports, including Delhi Airport.
    
Ramadoss has also asked officials in the health ministry to take up the issue with the relevant agencies in the Civil Aviation Ministry.