The Centre has decided to exempt Indian films and television programmes displaying the use of tobacco products necessary to represent the use of tobacco by a real historical figure from the purview of the onscreen smoking ban scheduled to come into force from January 1.
According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 30, old Indian films and television programmes produced prior to coming into effect of the notification would also be exempt from the ambit of the ban.
Besides, foreign films and television programmes, including dubbed or sub-titled foreign films or TV programmes, live coverage of news, current affairs, interviews, public meetings, sports and cultural events being telecast on TV channels would also get benefit of exemptions.
The notification, a copy of which was filed before a Delhi high court bench hearing Bollywood producer-director Mahesh Bhatt's petition against onscreen smoking ban, clarified that the exemptions shall not extend to display of brands of tobacco products or tobacco product placements in any form.
Senior counsel Sandeep Sethi submitted on behalf of Bhatt that he wanted the ban to be lifted as it worked against artistic expression. As the government counsel sought time to argue the case, the court adjourned the hearing to December 16.