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No more ‘gutka’ with the game? BCCI faces heat over surrogate ads
MUMBAI: Cricket might be a game of glorious uncertainties, but one thing the Union Health Ministry wants to be absolutely certain about is a tobacco-free Indian Premier League (IPL). In a major crackdown ahead of the tournament’s 22 March 2025 kickoff, the ministry has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ban all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertising, particularly surrogate promotions by gutka manufacturers endorsed by Bollywood celebrities and former cricketers.
The ministry’s directive comes after a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Vital Strategies, published in the British Medical Journal, which found that 41.3 per cent of all smokeless tobacco (SLT) surrogate ads in 2023 were displayed during the last 17 matches of the Cricket World Cup. These ads, often disguised as ‘elaichi’ mouth freshener promotions, allow tobacco brands to sidestep advertising bans while maintaining high visibility.
In a letter dated 5 March 2025 to IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal and the BCCI, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel called for a blanket ban on tobacco and alcohol advertising across stadiums, related events, and national TV broadcasts. The ministry has also recommended that sports authorities discourage players, commentators, and stakeholders from endorsing tobacco-linked brands, either directly or indirectly.
The letter stressed that cricketers are role models for millions, and the IPL, India’s largest sporting spectacle, has a moral responsibility to support public health initiatives. Goel pointed out that tobacco and alcohol consumption are leading contributors to India’s non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, with cardiovascular ailments, cancer, lung disease, diabetes, and hypertension accounting for over 70 per cent of annual deaths. India ranks second in global tobacco-related fatalities, with nearly 1.4 million deaths per year, while alcohol remains the country’s most widely used psychoactive substance.
Despite strict advertising restrictions, India’s alcohol and tobacco industries continue to wield influence through high-profile sporting events like the IPL. The alco-bev market, currently worth Rs 1.7 trillion, is projected to touch Rs 5 trillion by FY28, while the tobacco sector is set to generate 14 billion dollors in revenue by 2025, according to Statista. However, with increasing government scrutiny, companies are expected to cut brand extension ad spends by 20-30 per cent, reports Financial Express.
The crackdown isn’t limited to cricket. India became the first country to extend tobacco advertising prohibitions to OTT platforms from 1 September 2023. Now, new proposals seek to mandate non-skippable 30-second anti-tobacco health warnings on streaming content featuring tobacco use.
With the IPL just weeks away, the big question remains: Will the BCCI enforce a ban on surrogate ads in stadiums and broadcasts? If implemented, this move could significantly impact brand visibility for tobacco and alcohol manufacturers while reinforcing cricket’s commitment to public health.
For now, it’s game on for stricter regulations, but whether the IPL will play ball remains to be seen.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
