Leading Actor Ajay Devgn has been served notice from Delhi government’s Health Department for appearing in a surrogate advertisement of tobacco products.

All kinds of direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco products have been banned as per section 5 of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act 2003.

Ajay Devgn was seen in an ad promoting Vimal Pan Masala, which comes under surrogate advertisement of tobacco products.

The Health Department had in January written to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Arbaaz Khan and Sunny Leone along with Ajay Devgn, urging them not to endorse pan masala products as they contain areca nuts, a potential cancer causing agent.

“In view of this it is clear the said paan masala is being advertised as brand promotion of gutka/tobacco products which is misleading the consumer, especially the minors, and is a great violation of public health practice as per COTPA 2003.

“Though the onus of this violation of section 5 of COTPA lies upon the said tobacco company but by appearing in the advertisement you also become party to this violation under section 5 of the Act.

“Therefore through this letter you are served strict compliance notice not to appear in such advertisdeement which is not only misleading the consumer but also promoting tobacco products,” said S K Arora, Additional Director (Health).