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The just-concluded Formula One event in the country may have boosted prospects of brands of many various firms, but the Union Health Ministry is seeing red over the Uttar Pradesh Government’s failure to ban promotion of cigarette brands by the firms who have co-branded with the participating teams.
Noting that such associations violate the Indian anti-tobacco law, the Ministry is planning to take up the issue with the State Government to express its opposition to the move.
“We will soon write to the UP Government to take appropriate action in the matter,” said a senior Health Ministry official here on Monday.
However, the concerned stakeholders seemed to have cared too little to the Health Ministry’s decision. This was just reflected at the dismal response to its meeting called on October 13 to discuss various issues relating to advertisement/promotion of brands of cigarettes and other tobacco products during the Formula-1 (F1) motor race in India.
In fact, except an official from Information and Broadcasting Ministry Supriya Sahu, representatives from Sports Ministry, JP Sports International (organizer of F1 motor race) and Bharti Airtel Manager (Communication) were conspicuous by their absence.
Joining the issue, Hriday, an NGO has too asked the government to take strong action against the tobacco companies from engaging in illegal promotional activities in such events.
The NGO has also filed a complaint to the Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), demanding stern action against some tobacco firms for glamorizing tobacco use by using Formula 1 as a hook while at the same time violating a major provision of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (2003) COTPA which prohibits promotion of the use or consumption of cigarettes.
“With millions of Indian youth witnessing the first ever Formula1 races in their country, the tobacco industry looks at this event as an ideal opportunity to promote and heighten the visibility of their tobacco brands and enhance their corporate image, while gaining larger access to the vulnerable section of the society,” said Dr. Monika Arora from the NGO.
Noting that such associations violate the Indian anti-tobacco law, the Ministry is planning to take up the issue with the State Government to express its opposition to the move.
“We will soon write to the UP Government to take appropriate action in the matter,” said a senior Health Ministry official here on Monday.
However, the concerned stakeholders seemed to have cared too little to the Health Ministry’s decision. This was just reflected at the dismal response to its meeting called on October 13 to discuss various issues relating to advertisement/promotion of brands of cigarettes and other tobacco products during the Formula-1 (F1) motor race in India.
In fact, except an official from Information and Broadcasting Ministry Supriya Sahu, representatives from Sports Ministry, JP Sports International (organizer of F1 motor race) and Bharti Airtel Manager (Communication) were conspicuous by their absence.
Joining the issue, Hriday, an NGO has too asked the government to take strong action against the tobacco companies from engaging in illegal promotional activities in such events.
The NGO has also filed a complaint to the Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC), demanding stern action against some tobacco firms for glamorizing tobacco use by using Formula 1 as a hook while at the same time violating a major provision of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (2003) COTPA which prohibits promotion of the use or consumption of cigarettes.
“With millions of Indian youth witnessing the first ever Formula1 races in their country, the tobacco industry looks at this event as an ideal opportunity to promote and heighten the visibility of their tobacco brands and enhance their corporate image, while gaining larger access to the vulnerable section of the society,” said Dr. Monika Arora from the NGO.
