The Health Ministry has directed the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all forms of tobacco and alcohol promotion, including 'surrogate' advertisements, during the tournament starting on March 22. Director General of Health Services Atul Goyal, in a letter to IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, said that cricket players are role models for the youth of India. They should not be directly or indirectly associated with any kind of tobacco or alcohol advertising.

Goyal wrote, 'IPL should strictly enforce the rules banning all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertising, including surrogate advertisements. Such advertisements should not be shown inside the stadium and also during broadcast on national television. There should be no sale of tobacco and alcohol products during the competition and in the sports facility. '

The letter said, 'Discourage those players (including commentators) who directly or indirectly endorse alcohol or tobacco-related products.' During IPL, most Indian cricket lovers enjoy it on television and hence this tournament has become a favorite of advertisers.

Goyal said that it is the moral responsibility of cricketers to promote public health. He said, 'Cricketers are role models for the youth to promote a healthy and active lifestyle while IPL is the biggest sports platform in the country. It is a social and moral responsibility to promote public health and support the health initiatives of the government.'

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