HC asks govts to take stand on tobacco ads

New Delhi: Delhi high court on Monday asked the Centre and the AAP government to take a stand on a PIL seeking a “complete ban” on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued a notice to the ministries of home, health and finance, the Delhi government and the national as well as Delhi state commission for protection of child rights asking them to respond to the PIL that alleges child labour is rampant in companies engaged in tobacco products, like ‘khaini’, in the capital.

The petition alleged firms are engaged in manufacture, packaging, marketing and sale of ‘khaini’, in violation of various statutory provisions and “illegal activities” including surrogate advertisement, not paying minimum wages to its workers, child labour, tax evasion and environment pollution.

It has also contended that products are advertised in such a manner so as to give the impression that it was herbal and beneficial to health. The plea urges the court to direct the authorities concerned for safeguarding the fundamental rights of children working in manufacturing units of the tobacco company.