By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta commented that the I&B Ministry’s new order to need a smoking disclaimer on OTT is a “progressive decision.”
Hansal Mehta, a filmmaker, has spoken out against the new regulation for OTT companies to include a disclaimer against smoking or tobacco products. He sarcastically spoke of it as a “progressive decision.” (See also: Karan Johar, Hansal Mehta, and other celebrities salute Netflix’s Kohrra: ‘Best series I’ve seen since Trial By Fire’)
What Hansal said
The executive producer of the recently available Netflix series Scoop and the SonyLIV series Scam 1992, Hansal Mehta, tweeted on Wednesday, “Yes. Only our television and cinema are to blame for the deaths caused by cigarettes and smoking. These tickers will result in healthy, smoke-free individuals. Very forward-thinking choice.
In response to a particular statement in the study regarding the inclusion of a smoking disclaimer on OTT platforms, Hansal stated: “This decision was made to protect people’s health and raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.”
Responses on Hansal’s statement
Hansal’s remark created controversy online. It’s so simple to ban movies, a Twitter user commented in the tweet’s comment section. Why do they not ban tobacco? Hypocrites.” In response to Hansal’s claim, another user replied, “If this decision stops 100, 10 or even 1 person from stopping / not getting habituated to smoking or tobacco consumption, I genuinely think it’s a good decision!”
Another user tried to explain the situation to Hansal. “Sir, movies do have the power to influence the credulous,” they replied. Self-regulation should come first when it comes to checks given the distribution and access of today. With the kind of information available on OTT these days, I am worried about my children’s childhood.
Why are there smoking disclaimers on OTT platforms?
According to PTI, the government has ordered that OTT platforms display an anti-tobacco health warning as a huge permanent message at the bottom of the screen whenever a tobacco product is displayed or used during a program, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
The updated rules specify that anti-tobacco health ads be shown for a minimum of 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of every program involving tobacco products or their intake.
During the time when tobacco products are displayed or used in the program, they must clearly show an anti-tobacco health warning as a fixed message at the bottom of the screen. They must also play an audio-visual warning about the negative effects of tobacco for at least 20 seconds at the start and middle of the program.