Health Ministry Urges BCCI and SAI to Stop Tobacco and Alcohol Ads by Sportspersons
The Union Health Ministry has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to take steps to prevent sportspersons from promoting tobacco and alcohol products. The ministry sent letters to these sports bodies, highlighting the health risks associated with these substances and expressing disappointment with some sportspersons endorsing them.
The ministry’s letter noted that tobacco is a major risk factor for diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. India ranks second in tobacco-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 13.5 lakh preventable deaths each year. Tobacco-related cancers make up 33% of all cancers in India, with almost 50% of cancers in males and 17% in females attributed to tobacco. Surveys show that the age of initiation for tobacco consumption in India is as low as seven years.
To address rising tobacco use, the central government launched the National Tobacco Control Programme in 2007-08 to create awareness about the harms of these products, encourage people to quit, and ensure proper implementation of related laws.
The health ministry emphasized that BCCI and SAI are responsible for creating policies and guidelines for promoting and governing various sports, including cricket, while keeping players and fans in mind. The ministry expressed concern over surrogate advertisements of tobacco and alcohol products by well-known cricketers and actors during events like the IPL, noting that these personalities are role models for millions of youth across the country.
The ministry urged BCCI and SAI to take positive measures to prevent such advertising, such as signing anti-tobacco declarations, not promoting such products at events, and issuing directives to players to refrain from surrogate advertising. These measures aim to reduce tobacco consumption, especially among youth, and reinforce a positive image of sportspersons as advocates of health and fitness.
“Let’s join hands to create a tobacco-free generation and a healthier India,” concluded the letter.
Doubts Revealed
Health Ministry -: The Health Ministry is a part of the government that takes care of the health and well-being of people in the country.
BCCI -: BCCI stands for the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It is the organization that manages cricket in India.
SAI -: SAI stands for the Sports Authority of India. It is an organization that helps develop sports and support athletes in India.
Tobacco -: Tobacco is a plant that people use to make products like cigarettes. It is harmful to health and can cause diseases.
Alcohol -: Alcohol is a drink that can make people feel dizzy or drunk. Drinking too much alcohol is bad for health.
Endorsing -: Endorsing means to support or promote something. When sportspersons endorse products, they tell people to use or buy them.
Anti-tobacco declarations -: Anti-tobacco declarations are promises made by people or organizations to not support or promote tobacco products.
