Amitabh Shows the Way; WILL CELEBRITIES EMULATE HIM?
In a post few days back, Amitabh Bachchan's office informed his withdrawal from the advertisements of Pan Masala, and added that he had accepted the offer earlier, as he was not aware of facts (relating to the product.)
Hyderabad: Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan deserves encomiums for withdrawing himself from being the ‘Brand Ambassador’ of Pan Masala and giving back the money he has taken from the Company for brand promotion.
In a post few days back, Amitabh Bachchan’s office informed his withdrawal from the advertisements of Pan Masala, and added that he had accepted the offer earlier, as he was not aware of facts (relating to the product.)
After he had accepted the offer, an anti-tobacco organization has requested him to stop acting in Pan masala advertisements in view of the health hazards associated with the product, following which, he withdrew from the brand promotion.
Now, the Big question is whether the large number of celebrities who are acting as Brand promoters of different products which are responsible for various health problems of the people would take a cue from the Big B and emulate him, keeping the health of the people in view.
It is a matter of irony that many celebrities, particularly from the film industry, are promoting products that are responsible for various types of diseases, ignoring their social responsibility.
Research studies have conclusively proved that Tobacco products, junk food and sugary beverages are responsible for many ailments like obese, cancer, heart diseases, hypertension, kidney problems etc., but still the famous personalities are promoting the products, luring the people including the children towards them. It is high time the celebrities stopped acting to promote such products.
It is pertinent to point out that the National Cancer Registry has revealed that cancer is growing very rapidly in the country, and out of a total cases of 13.92 lakh last year (2020), 3.78 lakh cases (27 per cent) were tobacco related.
Government’s Inertia
Researchers are repeatedly warning against the ill-effects of tobacco, junk foods and beverages and the health problems caused by them. Still, it is a matter of concern that the Governments at the Center and in different States are not taking steps to stop propaganda of these products and thus save the people from health problems.
Neither the political leaders nor the beaurocrats think it is time to bestow their attention to this matter of utmost importance. At least the civil society and peoples’ organizations should take up the issue.!!
