IPL Urged to Ban All Tobacco and Alcohol Ads for Public Health

The Union Health Ministry has requested the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban tobacco and alcohol advertising within stadiums and on television broadcasts. With non-communicable diseases claiming over 70% of deaths in India, the ministry emphasizes IPL’s obligation to promote public health instead of endorsing harmful substances.

The Union Health Ministry has called on the Indian Premier League (IPL) to eliminate all tobacco and alcohol advertisements, as well as surrogate promotions, from both stadium premises and national television broadcasts during matches. This move aims to align with the government's responsibility to enhance public health awareness.

The request was addressed to IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal as the league's season is set to begin on March 22. In a corresponding letter, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) also recommended banning the sale of these products at all IPL-related events and sports venues.

The communication highlights that with a high incidence of non-communicable diseases in the country, and the IPL being a highly-watched platform, there is a need to distance sports from promoting harmful substances. Cricket players, perceived as role models, are encouraged to support healthy lifestyle messages to the youth.

(With inputs from agencies.)