DDCA petitioned for promoting tobacco brands

New Delhi: The Delhi government's health department has issued a show-cause notice to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (FFCA) for allegedly promoting tobacco and pan masala brands at the ongoing test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at Feroz Shah Kotla ground here.

The Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell has issued the notice to the cricket association on December 2 for violating provisions under section five of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which prohibits direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products.

The third test cricket match in the ongoing series between India and Sri Lanka is being played here from December 2 to December 6. The DDCA has been instructed by the Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell to immediately stop promotion of tobacco and pan masala brands at the cricket ground. It also sought to know why appropriate punitive action would not be initiated against the directors and office bearers of the DDCA as per the provisions under COTPA.

"You are strictly instructed to immediately stop this brand promotion of tobacco and pan masala from the cricket ground and also to show cause why punitive action will not be initiated against Directors/Office Bearers of the DDCA as per the provisions under Section 5 and Section 22 of COTPA, 2003," Dr SK Arora, Additional Director (Health) said in the notice. "Cricket stars also come under the category of celebrity and are role models for younger generation. Hence, they cannot promote tobacco and pan masala," he said.