Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Stop smoking on screen

Sir, — Apropos to your editorial, "Stop smoking on screen" ( June 12 ). The small screen is no less responsible for promoting drinking and smoking.

Ironically liquor and cigarette advertisements are banned on TV, but in the TV serials, besides adult men and teenagers, even women characters are liberally shown smoking and drinking.

These serials, viewed by millions of men, women and children from the metros to the remote corners of the country have a big influence. According to an estimate, in India every year about seven lakh people die of diseases caused by smoking.

To expect actors and actresses to refuse to smoke on screen is only wishful thinking.

The Government should amend the law and ban scenes showing characters smoking and drinking in TV serials and movies.

M.C. Joshi,

Lucknow, U.P.

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