Directive to ban tobacco and alcohol advertisements in IPL 2024: Health Ministry writes to IPL chairman

The 18th season of IPL is starting from March 22. Before this, the Ministry of Health has written a letter regarding IPL advertisements. The Health Ministry has directed the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all types of tobacco and alcohol promotions, including 'surrogate' advertisements, during the tournament starting on March 22.

Director General of Health Services Atul Goyal has written a letter to IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal. In this letter, he said that cricket players are role models for the youth of India. They should not be directly or indirectly associated with any kind of tobacco or alcohol advertisement.

Director General of Health Services Atul Goyal wrote in the letter, "IPL should strictly implement the rules banning all types of advertisements related to tobacco and alcohol, including surrogate advertisements. Such advertisements should not be shown inside the stadium and even during broadcasts on national television. There should be no sale of tobacco and alcohol products during the competition and in the sports facility.

The letter further said, "Discourage those players (including commentators) who directly or indirectly endorse alcohol or tobacco-related products."

Let us tell you that during IPL, most Indian cricket lovers enjoy it on television. In such a situation, this tournament becomes a favorite of advertisers. Atul Goyal said that it is the moral responsibility of cricketers to promote public health. He said, "Cricketers are role models for the youth to promote a healthy and active lifestyle while IPL is the biggest sports platform in the country. It is a social and moral responsibility to promote public health and support the health initiatives of the government. "