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ICC’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the dirty game of surrogate advertisements of smokeless tobacco

Consistent with Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) prohibits direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). However, indirect and direct tobacco product promotion in sports is a tobacco industry tactic to circumvent TAPS restrictions. This study found that 41% of advertisements shown between the overs during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup were surrogate ads for smokeless tobacco. The study shows that the tobacco industry is flouting regulatory policies via surrogate advertising of smokeless tobacco products. This is of significance since India is a major producer and consumer of smokeless tobacco products with over 200 million adult users.

Published May 28, 2024

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