NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has directed the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ban all forms of tobacco and alcohol promotions, including surrogate advertisements, ahead of the 2025 season.
With IPL 2025 set to begin on 22nd March, the Director General of Health Services, Atul Goel, addressed a letter to IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, emphasizing the need for cricketers to refrain from direct or indirect involvement in advertising tobacco or alcohol products.
The letter outlined key regulations that IPL must enforce, including a ban on all tobacco and alcohol advertisements within stadium premises and during telecasts on national television. It also called for restrictions on the sale of such products at IPL-affiliated events and sports facilities. Additionally, sportspersons, including commentators, were urged not to endorse any products linked to tobacco or alcohol, either directly or indirectly.
The Ministry noted that India faces a significant burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and hypertension, which account for over 70% of annual deaths. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are major risk factors contributing to these diseases. Given the IPL’s status as India’s most-watched sporting event, the Ministry stressed that any direct or indirect promotion of tobacco and alcohol sends a contradictory message about health and fitness.
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