Ajay Devgn is known for his work in films like Singham and Golmaal
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.
S K Arora, Additional Director (Health), said, "All kinds of direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco products has 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 a 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".
The Health Department had in January 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 contained areca nuts, a potential cancer causing agent.
The 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.
Experts say that areca nuts, the main ingredient in pan masala, is as addictive as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol and also leads to a high number of cases of Submucous Fibrosis, which can easily turn cancerous.
The government has already filed an FIR against three major tobacco companies on the issue of surrogate advertisements and is waiting for the Action Taken Report by the Delhi Police.
"Delhi government is repeatedly asking Delhi Police to submit the report but there is no reply from police till date," Mr Arora added.