The 18th series of IPL 2025 is going to start from March 22. This tournament will be played in home and away format, for which all the teams have started their preparations. Meanwhile, regarding the health crisis in India, the Ministry of Health and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) have sent a letter to the chairman of IPL demanding a ban on the promotion of tobacco and alcohol.
What is written in the letter?
DGHS mentioned in the letter that currently serious diseases like diabetes, lung diseases and cancer are increasing rapidly in India. The main reasons for the increase in these diseases are tobacco and alcohol consumption. The number of deaths due to tobacco in India is second in the world. Every year 1.4 million people lose their lives due to alcohol.
The Health Ministry has already recommended a ban on the promotion of alcohol and tobacco during the Games. This letter from DGHS is part of that recommendation.
Key points in the letter
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Ban on promotion of alcohol and tobacco: The letter states that all advertisements of tobacco and alcohol should be banned on broadcasting platforms during the IPL. Along with this, these should not be promoted in the stadium and all IPL events.
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Ban on sale of alcohol and tobacco: Sale of tobacco and alcohol should be banned in stadiums and IPL venues.
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Players should become role models: The letter also states that sports personalities should not promote alcohol and tobacco companies in any form as they are role models for the youth.
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
Crores of rupees earned from IPL
IPL is the biggest T20 cricket league in the world and its craze is very high in India. There is a huge demand for tickets for every match, and the number of IPL viewers is also increasing year by year. According to a report, Jiostar has set a revenue target of Rs 4,500 crore for IPL 2025. It is estimated that all 10 teams of IPL can get sponsorship income of around Rs 1,300 crore.
However, during this time, advertisements of products like tobacco and alcohol are shown directly or indirectly in IPL matches, which has a negative impact on the young generation. BCCI earns a lot of income from these advertisements, but in view of the health crisis, there is a demand for strict action on this.
IPL 2025 starts on March 22
The upcoming season of IPL 2025 is going to start from March 22. The first match will be played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. The tournament will last for more than 2 months, and its final will be held on May 25.
The move to implement a ban on tobacco and alcohol promotion in this season of IPL 2025 is an important effort to strike a balance between sports and health. This initiative could signal a positive direction for the future of Indian cricket.
