Health Ministry Calls for Ban on Tobacco, Alcohol Ads in IPL

The Health Ministry has directed the IPL to prohibit tobacco and alcohol promotions during the tournament. Cricket players, as role models, should not support such advertisements. The move is aimed at curbing non-communicable diseases, which account for over 70% of annual deaths in India.

The Health Ministry has issued a directive forbidding tobacco and alcohol promotions during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, starting March 22. This mandate, communicated via a letter to IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal by Director General of Health Services Atul Goel, seeks to eliminate any direct or indirect association of cricket players with such advertisements.

With the IPL being a major platform for advertisers due to its widespread viewership, Goel emphasized the need for strict adherence to the regulations banning these ads in stadiums and during TV broadcasts. This move targets the reduction of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which are exacerbated by tobacco and alcohol usage.

Goel highlighted the moral duty of cricketers as role models to support public health initiatives. Given the IPL's influence, the league is urged to align with government efforts to combat NCDs and promote a healthier lifestyle among its viewers.

(With inputs from agencies.)