Delhi HC issues notice in plea for complete ban on Tobacco advertisements

The Delhi High Court today issued notice in a petition seeking a complete ban on advertisements, promotions and sponsorship of tobacco products in any form. .The petition also seeks directions to safeguard the fundamental rights of children allegedly working in the manufacturing unit of tobacco brand 'Chaini Khaini'..Notice was issued by a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar to the Central Government, theDelhi Government, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and other relevant parties in a petition by one Dipesh Jha..In his petition filed through Advocates Gaurav Kumar and Vaibhav Gupta, the petitioner has alleged that the manufacturers of tobacco products under the brand name Chaini Khaini, were employing children under the age of 14 years in their manufacturing units and were also involved in a series of illegal activities including surrogate advertisement..The etitioner has also contended that the manufacturing unit was being run in violation of provisions of various labour laws including the Minimum Wages Act, the Industrial Disputes Act, the Trade Unions Act etc..It is also argued that the manner in which 'Chaini Khaini' is advertised gives an impression that it is a herbal product which is beneficial to health. The product packaging also lacks any statutory warning, the petition states..The petitioner has also contended that the manufacturers of Chaini Khaini are indulging in tax evasion, lack of waste management etc..He has thus sought investigation into these allegations by the concerned authorities..The matter will be heard next on March 11.