Health | Updated Jun 01, 2009 at 03:45pm IST

Azad gives stars freedom to smoke on air

Seemi PashaSeemi Pasha, CNN-IBN

New Delhi: On World No Tobacco Day on Sunday, new Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear that he's certainly different from his predecessor Anbumani Ramadoss at least on the smoking issue.

“Screen is about entertainment. I don't think it has anything to do with tobacco consumption,” he said.

This is in sharp contrast to former health minister Anbumani Ramadoss who had said that he wanted a ban on smoking in films and TV serials.

Azad's statement is in keeping with the Delhi High Court order in January this year that rejected the government's notification for a ban saying that it violated the fundamental rights of filmmakers.

So the next time you see an actor puffing on a cigarette on the big screen, rest assured that he has the minister's approval.

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