Delhi shops flout SC ban on tobacco ads

Delhi has not adhered to the Supreme Court ban on shops displaying tobacco advertisements, said a survey released Monday.

The survey by the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) was carried out on 55 retail outlets in Delhi.

"Tobacco retail shops are still displaying tobacco advertisements despite the Supreme Court ruling on the ban of displaying of tobacco ads across the country," it said.

The apex court early this year banned shops from displaying tobacco advertisement.

"Despite the regulations, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is very rampant and youth centric," said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, executive director of VHAI.

"There is an urgent need to strengthen the existing provisions and a multi-sectoral and inter-governmental synergy to effectively implement a complete ban," she said.