Having already been served with a legal notice by The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) in October 2007 for smoking during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit and an ODI match between India and Australia in Mumbai, Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan is in a bit of a hot soup with NOTE once again. The reason? The broadcasting of Shahrukh Khan’s smoking during an Indian Premier League match between Kolkata Knight Riders and the Kings XI Punjab is the reason why the organisation is upset with the broadcasters of the tournament.
A statement from NOTE said that the official broadcasters of the series should ensure that footage of smoking especially by celebrities should not be broadcast. Their argument stated that the broadcasted images increased the chances of youngster’s picking up the habit in an attempt to imitate their idols. NOTE has suggested that the event organisers also make regular no smoking announcements at the venues during the matches to raise awareness.
Although smoking is not banned in public places in South Africa NOTE is lobbying with the South African National Council Against Smoking to make it illegal to smoke in public places. NOTE’s General Secretary Shekhar Salkar said in absence of a law they had requested Shahrukh and other celebrities to quit smoking for their well being.
Let’s hope that he listens to their advice for his health’s sake at least.
