Anti-tobacco forum complains to CBFC against Sarkar's cigarette

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu People's Forum for Tobacco Control (TNPFTC) on Friday said it had sent representations to the government and the film censor board against actor Vijay and the makers of his movie, Sarkar, for allegedly violating law relating to the promotion of tobacco use.

“The poster of upcoming Vijay movie - Sarkar violates the tobacco control law by displaying tobacco product in the poster. The poster has the lead actor Vijay posing with a cigarette in his mouth. This is a violation of Section 5 (Prohibition of Tobacco Advertisement, Promotion, Sponsorship) of COTPA - Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 and GSR 786 of COTPA, which prohibits the display of tobacco products or their use in the promos and poster of films”, said the TNPFTC state convener  S. Cyril Alexander.

“Several young people are following Vijay; he has a huge fan following. Our youth smoke if Vijay smokes (on screen); our youth drink if Vijay drinks; our youth will use the aruval to hack if Vijay does that in his movie. We (PMK) are bit against cinema. Cinema is a very powerful medium; it must be used in a positive and productive way”: PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, adding that over 55 per cent youth take to smoking after seeing their stars smoke on screen.

“It is well known that the youngsters imitate popular actors. It is disappointing to see that a lead actor such as Vijay agreed to be portrayed with a cigarette. It questions the responsibility that he has towards the younger generation who follow him passionately. At one side, campaigns such as 'Green Line' are working towards tobacco free schools and youngsters. At the other side, actors such as Vijay are promoting tobacco usage, thereby causing a serious damage to the public health”, said Alexander in a statement here.

He said Vijay had used tobacco even earlier for promoting his films. “When confronted, he and his team will immediately apologize.  By this time, their movie acquires a lot of popularity. This is a marketing strategy adopted by Vijay to promote his movies”, Alexander said, adding that “even after continuous confrontation with the Tamil Nadu film industry about their tobacco control violations, the industry does not seem to abide by the rules”.