Director General of Health Services Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goyal demands ban on tobacco and alcohol advertisements in IPL

New Delhi, March 10, 2025 – Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goyal has appealed for a strict ban on direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco and alcohol during the Indian Premier League (IPL). In this regard, an official letter has been sent to IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal and BCCI President Roger Binny on March 5, 2025.

Advertising of tobacco and alcohol during IPL is dangerous

In the letter, Dr. Goyal expressed concern that 70% of deaths in India are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Tobacco and alcohol are the main causes of these diseases. India ranks second in the world in tobacco-related deaths, where about 1.4 million people die every year.

Considering the popularity of IPL, he suggested that any kind of advertisement or brand promotion related to tobacco and alcohol sends a wrong message to the public. Sports and promotion of addiction cannot go together.

Appeal to strictly implement these rules in IPL

Dr. Goyal has appealed to strictly implement three major points:

Any kind of advertisement related to tobacco/alcohol should be completely banned in the stadium and during broadcast.

The sale of tobacco/alcohol products should be banned in IPL and all its related events.

Players, commentators and other sports personalities should be prevented from promoting these harmful products.

IPL’s moral responsibility towards society

He said that cricket players are role models for the youth and IPL is the biggest sports platform in the country. Therefore, it is the moral and social responsibility of this league to promote a healthy lifestyle and support the government’s health initiatives like ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.

Strict monitoring of the government

The Health Ministry will keep a close watch on the IPL’s stance in this regard. Even before this, the government has talked about taking strict action on tobacco and alcohol advertisements several times.

IPL 2025 is starting from March 22, so it will be important to see what steps BCCI and IPL administration take in this direction.