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Rajya Sabha Members Call for Ban on Misleading Tobacco and Gutkha Advertisements

Several members further suggested that part of the revenue generated from increased excise duties should be directed towards cancer research and nationwide awareness campaigns. They stressed that tackling deceptive marketing is essential to reducing the growing incidence of tobacco-related diseases in India.

• By PTI
• New Delhi
• Dec 08, 2025

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Several members of the Rajya Sabha have urged the government to impose a complete ban on misleading advertisements that promote tobacco, gutkha, liquor and similar harmful products. The appeal was made during discussions on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes increasing excise duties on tobacco products once the GST compensation cess ends.

Lawmakers argued that raising taxes alone will not be enough to curb rising consumption, especially among young people. They emphasised that misleading and surrogate advertising continues to glamorise these harmful items despite existing restrictions.

MP Sanjay Seth highlighted the growing health burden caused by tobacco use, noting that consumption has become widespread across age and gender groups. He criticised the tactic of masking tobacco-related brands through advertisements for products such as bottled water or soft drinks, calling it a deliberate attempt to mislead consumers.

BSP MP Ramji demanded an outright prohibition on all forms of surrogate advertising and celebrity endorsements linked to gutkha and pan masala. He also recommended implementing a licensing system for sellers of these products, similar to the regulatory framework used for liquor sales.

Several members further suggested that part of the revenue generated from increased excise duties should be directed towards cancer research and nationwide awareness campaigns. They stressed that tackling deceptive marketing is essential to reducing the growing incidence of tobacco-related diseases in India.