Ramadoss asks I&B ministry to act against surrogate ads

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has asked the information and broadcasting ministry to take action against tobacco and liquor companies indulging in "surrogate" advertising in print, electronic and outdoor media.

In a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, Ramadoss said, "Companies like Bagpiper soda, Mcdowells, Johny Walker soda and Kingfisher mineral water are using surrogate methods of advertising, which need to be stopped."

These products have exactly the same brand name and logo which had earlier been there in the liquor ads, the letter said.

"The health minister has raised the issue as these are violative of the statutory provisions and defeat the very purpose of the ban," sources said. "A similar trend is being followed by companies making cigarettes, pan masala and gutka," the letter added.

The information and broadcasting ministry had earlier banned certain advertisements and issued notices to the channels asking them to disclose reasons for carrying surrogate liquor advertisements.