As per reports, the Delhi government’s Health Department has issued a show cause notice to Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan for appearing in a surrogate advertisement of an Indian pan masala brand.
“It may be noted that Mr Pierce Brosnan who is promoting the brand in media, TV channel, vendors and others if any have also become party to this violation and are likely to be punished as per COTPA 2003,” read the notice.
Areca nut (supari) in pan masala has cancer causing agent which has been scientifically proven and Brosnan, an actor who is a role model for lakhs of people especially youngsters, should not indulge in promotion of such hazardous products, it read.
The Irish actor has been asked to clarify his position within 10 days.
The 007 star is said to have stated earlier that he was given to understand from the brand that he was to advertise a “breath freshener/tooth whitener” and that he was shocked and saddened by the deceptive use of his image in the pan masala brand’s advertisement.
The city government also asked the pan masala group why appropriate punitive action should not be initiated against its directors and office-bearers.
This is not the first occasion where the Delhi Government’s Health Department has targeted celebrities. Few weeks ago, the Department had slapped notices on Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions alongwith Endemol Productions for airing a Kamala Pasand Pan Masala promotional advertisement. Earlier, the Department had issued a strict compliance notice to Karan Johar, Shahrukh Khan, Gauri Khan and others for promoting smoking in promotional posters of their film Ittefaq.
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