'Ittefaq': Posters to be withdrawn post Delhi's tobacco cell notice

Recently, actor Akshaye Khanna was in the limelight after his poster for 'Ittefaq' faced flak for portraying cigarette smoking. In one of the promotional posters of the movie, the actor was seen with an unlit cigarette and a lighter. Now, in response to a letter from Delhi government’s State Tobacco Control Cell, the producers of the Siddhartha Malhotra-Sonakshi Sinha starrer ‘Ittefaq’ have agreed to remove all promotional material from all forms of media where an actor is seen smoking.

“The poster is in violation of Section 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act that clearly states that no one shall promote the consumption of cigarettes or other tobacco products. Movie posters are displayed everywhere and have the ability to influence many, especially young, impressionable adolescents and teenagers,” said Dr. SK Arora, Delhi State Tobacco Control Officer.

“In fact, any media house that runs the poster will also be made party to the legal proceedings. The COTPA states that no person having control over a medium, use the medium to advertise cigarettes or other tobacco products,” said Arora. He further added, “The posters are not just displayed in Delhi but across the country, hence, other states must also raise voice against such violations so that it can strengthen our efforts.”

(Also read: Akshaye Khanna faces heat from Delhi's health department for seen smoking on 'Ittefaq' poster)

Stay tuned for more updates.

Credits: Hindustan Times