Stop screening tobacco usage, Bollywood urged
Friday, September 30, 2011
New Delhi: Stating that on screen representation of smoking glamorises tobacco, civil society members on Wednesday urged the film industry and censor board to avoid depicting such scenes in movies.
"There are several empirical studies and global evidence which show that depiction of tobacco usage in movies increases the risk of initiation of tobacco use in an indirect manner," Salaam Bombay Foundation Programme Director Devika Chadha said at a workshop.
The workshop was attended by members of health and information and broadcasting ministries, along with representatives from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and film industry.
Health Ministry Director Rakesh Kumar said more communication was needed between the health and information and broadcasting ministries to tackle the issue.