This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Ajay Devgn Gets Notice For Appearing In A Pan Masala Advertisement

Ajay Devgn Gets Notice For Appearing In A Pan Masala Advertisement
Indian Bollywood film actor, Ajay Devgn, as a brand ambassador for Hajmola Chatpata No.1, poses during a promotional event in Mumbai on February 26, 2015. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
STR via Getty Images
Indian Bollywood film actor, Ajay Devgn, as a brand ambassador for Hajmola Chatpata No.1, poses during a promotional event in Mumbai on February 26, 2015. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Delhi government's Health Department has issued a strict compliance notice to Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn for appearing in a surrogate advertisement of tobacco products.

All kinds of direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco products have been banned as per section 5 of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act 2003.

"In view of this it is clear the said paan masala is being advertised as brand promotion of gutka/tobacco products which is misleading the consumer, especially the minors, and is a great violation of public health practice as per COTPA 2003.

"Though the onus of this violation of section 5 of COTPA lies upon the said tobacco company but by appearing in the advertisement you also become party to this violation under section 5 of the Act.

"Therefore through this letter you are served strict compliance notice not to appear in such advertisement which is not only misleading the consumer but also promoting tobacco products," said S K Arora, Additional Director (Health).

The Health Department had in January had written to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Arbaaz Khan and Sunny Leone along with Ajay Devgn, urging them not to endorse pan masala products as they contain areca nuts, a potential cancer causing agent.

Delhi government has also asked actors to join its anti-tobacco campaign to help save lives of lakhs of people who die due to oral cancer every year.

According to experts, areca nuts, the main ingredient in pan masala, is in the league of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol when it comes to addictive properties and also lead to a high number of cases of submucous fibrosis, which can easily turn cancerous.

Government of Delhi has already filed an FIR against three major tobacco companies on the issue of surrogate advertisements and is waiting for the action taken by Delhi Police.

"Delhi government is repeatedly asking Delhi Police to submit the report but there is no reply from police till date," Arora said.

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

INDIA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-FESTIVAL

world culture festival

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.