Cricket News Desk. The Health Ministry has directed the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all forms of tobacco and alcohol promotion, including ‘surrogate’ advertisements, during the tournament starting March 22.
Director General of Health Services Atul Goyal, in a letter to IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, said that cricketers are role models for the youth of India. They should not be directly or indirectly associated with any kind of tobacco or alcohol advertisement.
“IPL should strictly enforce rules banning all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertising, including surrogate advertising,” Goyal wrote. Such advertisements should not be shown inside the stadium and even during broadcasts on national television. Tobacco and alcohol products should not be sold during the competition and in sports facilities. “Discourage players (including commentators) who directly or indirectly endorse alcohol or tobacco-related products,” the letter said.
IPL may face losses worth crores
Most Indian cricket fans enjoy it on television during IPL and hence the tournament becomes a favourite for advertisers. Goyal said it is the moral responsibility of cricketers to promote public health. “Cricketers are role models for the youth in promoting healthy and active lifestyle while IPL is the biggest sporting platform in the country,” he said. It is a social and moral responsibility to promote public health and support government health initiatives.
Let us tell you that the Indian Premier League earns huge profits from advertisements, on which the government is demanding a ban. In such a situation, BCCI and IPL Board will have to suffer losses worth crores due to this decision of the government.
