"Not Promoting Pan Masala": UPCA Reduces 'Gutkha' Advertisements Inside Kanpur's Green Park Stadium

The indirect advertisement of smokeless tobacco products like 'gutkha' inside the Green Park Stadium during an international cricket match is never a surprise considering that Kanpur is famous for the production and trade of pan masala. However, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has reduced considerably the advertising space normally given to the popular tobacco brands during the ongoing second Test between India and Bangladesh.

Billboards featuring brands such as 'Shikhar' and 'Shuddh Plus' are a common sight while the electronic display boards on the boundary lines keep flashing 'Vimal' and 'Raj Niwas'.

However, compared to the past the space for such brands has gone down this time around. It's visible only on the spectator's stands on either side of the press box while other galleries feature ads of different products like tyres and edible spices.

Many pan masala brands that have featured at Green Park in the past are missing this time but four of them are still there.

The UPCA officials, though, said these brands are only promoting mouth fresheners and not pan masala.

"They are not promoting pan masala now, they are promoting elaichi (cardamom)," venue director Sanjay Kapoor told PTI.

It was pointed out to Kapoor that the word elaichi is not mentioned. Won't it be a surrogate advertisement then? "How should I comment on that? We do not endorse products that are hazardous for health. That's it," he said.

Surrogate advertisement is a marketing technique through which companies promote products that are banned or restricted from direct advertising.

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, prohibits direct advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

It also prohibits