Delhi HC expresses displeasure over lawyer opposing anti-tobacco ads with graphic imagery

While dismissing the plea, the single judge bench had warned the petitioner advocate not to file “frivolous petitions in future”. Against these observations, the advocate had moved before the division bench in an appeal.

The division bench, however, asked the advocate to file an affidavit expressing his regret within two days after which it said it will expunge the observations made by the single judge.

“He must give an affidavit of regret for what has happened, then we will expunge these observations,” the bench said.

The bench also observed that if people are not made aware of how cancer is spreading due to the harmful impact of tobacco, through these advertisements, then how would they get to know about it.

While stating that it is in complete agreement with the order of the single judge, the division bench orally said, “Government of India for a change is trying to do something and you are trying to ensure that it does not happen. Please have a course correction. It is not proper. What they are showing is actual reality.”

The matter is next listed on December 7.

In its September 20 order, Justice Subramonium Prasad had further observed that the purpose of displaying “gross, graphic anti-tobacco imagery” in the health spots played during screening of movies and TV programmes is to bring awareness among people of the ill-effects of consuming tobacco and tobacco products and to show them what tobacco can do to their health.