The Indian Ministry of Health has urged the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to impose a ban on all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertising, including surrogate ads, at stadiums, during events, and on television broadcasts.
In a letter dated March 5, Atul Goel, the Director General of Health Services, addressed IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal and the BCCI, requesting that they eliminate the sale of tobacco and alcohol products at all affiliated events and sports venues.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) writes to IPL Chairperson regarding the regulation of Tobacco and Alcohol advertisements including surrogate advertisementing and sales during the IPL season starting from 22nd March. pic.twitter.com/0kNvKHzWet
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2025
What does letter from Indian Ministry of Health say?
In the letter, Goel emphasized that IPL, being the largest sports platform in India, has a responsibility to promote public health and support the government's health initiatives.
He wrote,"Cricket players are role models for youngsters. IPL, being the largest sports platform in the country, has a social and moral obligation to promote public health."
The letter also called for sports figures, including players and commentators, to be discouraged from endorsing products linked to alcohol or tobacco, either directly or indirectly.
Goel highlighted the growing public health crisis in India, noting that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and hypertension, account for more than 70% of annual deaths.
He also pointed out that tobacco and alcohol consumption are significant contributors to these diseases. "We rank second in tobacco-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 14 lakh annual deaths," Goel added. "Alcohol is also the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians."
Everything you need to know about IPL 2025
IPL 2025 will be the 18th edition of the tournament which will commence on March 22 and the Final will be played on May 25. Overall 74 matches will be played across 13 venues which includes 12 double-headers. The timings of the games will be standard at afternoon around 03:30 PM IST, and evening games that will begin from 7:30 PM IST.
Three of the ten IPL teams will play at 2 venues each. DC will play their home games in Visakhapatnam and at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
RR will play their two home games at Guwahati and play the remainder of the home games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
PBKS, meanwhile, will play their four home matches at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh while Dharamsala will host three home games.
The playoffs will be played in Hyderabad and Kolkata. As per the main statement, Hyderabad is going to host Qualifier 1 and Eliminator on May 20, 2025, and May 21, 2025, respectively. While Kolkata will host the Qualifier 2 on May 23, 2025. The all-engrossing summit clash of the TATA IPL 2025 will be played on May 25, 2025.