President’s call puts spotlight on celebrity endorsements of harmful products

…Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), said appeals to celebrities needed to be backed by a clear legal framework covering the endorsement and advertising of harmful products, including tobacco and ultra-processed foods. “ I wish appeals were taken seriously and work in India, especially when it comes to endorsement and advertising of harmful products which include ultra-processed food products and tobacco products ,” he said. Mr. Gupta said the government should act on the President’s appeal and enact a clearly worded law to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy products. “This is the only way to curb the trend. Why I am saying…

…and executive director — Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery, KIMS Hospitals, Bengaluru, said the President’s remarks highlighted the public-health consequences of celebrity endorsements of tobacco-linked products. “ As oncologists, we witness daily the catastrophic impact of pan masala, alcohol and tobacco addiction in our clinics. When high-profile icons lend their names to these brands, they inadvertently glamorise carcinogenic products for millions of impressionable youth ,” he said. Dr. Nayak said products such as silver-coated cardamom and flavoured mouth fresheners marketed under tobacco-associated brand names could function as surrogate advertisements. “Using identical brand titles,…