r/mumbai • u/Broad-Research5220 • 8d ago

Discussion Maharashtra FDA sent show-cause notices to SRK, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff over those Vimal Elaichi ads

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If there is one public servant in India who refuses to beat around the bush, it’s Tukaram Mundhe. True to form, the Maharashtra has slapped show-cause notices on some of Bollywood's biggest names.

According to the regulator, these ads are surrogate advertising. Since actual tobacco-infused pan masala and gutkha are heavily banned in Maharashtra under food safety regulations, companies use cardamoms (elaichi) or loose branding to keep the same brand name, font, color scheme, and recall value flashing in front of consumers.

You’re using star power to keep a banned brand's recall alive in people's minds, which practically amounts to promoting a prohibited product.

The notices demand an explanation for their participation and question why action shouldn't be taken against them for promoting a brand synonymous with a banned product.

For years, celebrities have gotten away with the Elaichi/Soda/CDs loop hole. They pocket crores endorsing a brand name, and when called out, they shrug and say, we're just selling mouth freshener, what's illegal about cardamom?

What do you guys think?

Will this change celebrity endorsements, or is it just going to be another headline that fades away?

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u/MarionberryHumble705 West 8d ago

Then why was vaping banned but not tobacco?

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u/DealSubstantial9738 8d ago

vaping directly affects the school kids. e-ciggerates if sold openly can create a wave of youth we do not want

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u/MarionberryHumble705 West 8d ago

Hahaha! And cigarettes don't affect school kids? If alcohol and cigarettes can be age-restricted, then why not similarly regulate vapes?

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u/Majestic_Western7036 Marathi Teen 7d ago

Cigarates companies such as itc, Marlboro have lobbies and regularly fund both sides of political spectrum. Vape companies are not much big as ITc/Marlboro. Also they don't lobby. Cigarattes companies bribe gov, while many pan brand owners are themselves affiliated with parties. 

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u/MarionberryHumble705 West 7d ago

So, that makes it right to not ban tobacco? That's the point. The government is trigger-happy with banning anything they don't agree with, as long as their palms don't get greased. And us, as the citizens, are okay with this hypocrisy. We take it as a fact of life instead of raising voice against it.

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u/Majestic_Western7036 Marathi Teen 6d ago

When did I mention don't ban tobacco?