Delhi government Requests SRK, Others Not To Endorse Pan Masala

Delhi government has written in request to various Bollywood actors such as Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Govinda and Sunny Leone to stop endorsing pan masala products as they contain areca nuts, which is a potential causing cancer ingredient. Areca nuts, according to the experts, are in the league of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine that have addictive properties. The government further requested these actors to join their anti-tobacco campaign instead.  

Dr S K Arora, who is the Additional Director (Health) of Delhi government, has been quoted in the letter as stating, “You are often seen on TV and other media advertising pan masala products. Even if these pan masalas do not contain tobacco or nicotine, they surely contain areca nuts (supari) and now there are a lot of scientific evidences which prove that supari causes cancer. Moreover, some of these pan masala advertisements are surrogate advertisements of tobacco products which the manufacturing companies try to promote”.

“You are the role model for youngsters; they watch you and your lifestyle and habits and try to adopt it. These advertisements attract the vulnerable population”, he continued. He also said that tobacco consumption amongst women and youngsters of the nation is increasing and these advertisements play a pivotal role in the concern. “I humbly request you to not participate in pan masala or any other similar advertisements which are harming our society especially the younger generations. Rather, I request you to join us in anti-tobacco campaign to save lakhs of preventable deaths”, he added. 

Source: intoday.in