Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Ban On Display Of ‘Gross Images’ In Anti-Tobacco Ads In Cinemas, OTT Platforms

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking prohibition on the display of anti-tobacco health spots containing “graphic or gross images” during films in cinemas, TV or OTT platforms. Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that the graphic description given in the Government issued The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking prohibition on the display of anti-tobacco health spots containing “graphic or gross images” during films in cinemas, TV or OTT platforms. Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that the graphic description given in the Government issued “The purpose of display of distasteful, gross, graphic anti-tobacco imagery in the health spots played during the screening of movies and TV programmes is only to make people aware of the ailments and ill-effects of consuming tobacco and tobacco products and to show them what tobacco can do to their health,” the court said. “With a view to deter people from smoking tobacco and tobacco products, the Government of India has brought in Rejecting the plea, Justice Prasad said that the plea has been backed by the “tobacco industry lobby” to prevent the Government from creating awareness against tobacco, which is the sole cause responsible for a number of ailments among men and women.