SHIMONA SHARMA
The North News
Chandigarh, March 10
The Centre government has called on the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban advertisements for tobacco and alcohol, citing serious public health concerns. Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, on March 5 urged IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to eliminate such promotions during matches, events, and national broadcasts.
In a letter, Dr. Goel highlighted India’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for over 70% of annual deaths. He pointed to tobacco and alcohol use as significant contributors, noting that India ranks second globally in tobacco-related deaths, with nearly 1.4 million lives lost each year. Alcohol, he added, is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the country.
The letter also recommended a complete ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol products at IPL-affiliated events. Stressing the influential role of cricket players, Dr. Goel called on sports bodies to prevent athletes from endorsing these products, aligning with the league’s social responsibility to promote public health and support government initiatives.
