Ban surrogate ads, health ministry tells I&B

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Health minister Anbumani Ramadoss has asked the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry to take action against tobacco and liquor companies indulging in “surrogate” advertising in print, electronic and outdoor media.

In a letter to I&B minister PR Dasmunsi, Ramadoss has said, “Companies like Bagpiper soda, McDowells, Johny Walker soda and Kingfisher mineral waters are using surrogate methods of advertising which need to be stopped,” sources in the health ministry said. These products have exactly the same brand name and logo which had earlier been there in the liquor ads, the letter said.

“The companies are thus trying to by-pass the advertisement ban on liquor products already in place,” they said.

“The health minister has raised the issue as these are violative of the statutory provisions and defeat the very purpose of the ban which has been imposed,” sources said.

This is in breach of the government banning ads of cigarettes and other tobacco products as well as wine, alcohol and other intoxicants considering the ill-effects of these products.