The League’s Ministry of Health has urged the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all tobacco and alcohol advertising, including alternative promotions, during the game, at stadium venues and at national television stations’ television broadcast classes, saying it has an ethical obligation to promote public health.
The government’s request begins on March 22 before the IPL season.
In a letter to IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dumal, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) also urged him to ban the sale of tobacco/alcohol products in all affiliated activities and sports facilities.
The letter also stressed that the promotion of athletes, including commentators, directly or indirectly endorsing products related to alcohol or tobacco.
The letter also marked the Indian Cricket Control Board and noted that India is bearing a significant burden on non-communicable diseases – cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, hypertension, etc., accounting for more than 70% of deaths per year.
“Tobacco and alcohol consumption are key risk factors for NCD. We rank second in the world in tobacco-related deaths; nearly 1.4 million deaths per year, and alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians,” it said.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most popular sporting event in India, and the promotion of tobacco/alcohol directly or indirectly on any platform related to sports has sent contradictory messages about health and fitness to the public, the letter is underlined.
“Therefore, IPL should strictly enforce all forms of tobacco/alcohol advertising in stadium venues, including alternative advertising, including alternative advertising, in which games and related IPL games/events are held on national television, as well as television broadcasting conferences on national television;
The letter observes that cricketers are role models for young people who promote healthy and active lifestyles.
It said: “IPL is the largest sports platform in the country with a social and ethical obligation to promote public health and support government health programs.”
