No drinking, smoking scenes on TV

Some television channels have begun following to the letter, rules pertaining to advertising and promotion of alcohol and tobacco – much to the annoyance of viewers.

In recent weeks, MTV and Sirisa have blacked out drinking scenes or cigarette-smoking saying, in a notice that ran while the dialogue was on, “We are abiding by regulations in the Alcohol and Tobacco Act.”

The continuous ‘cover’ over these scenes has annoyed many viewers. “It’s annoying to watch a movie when it is disrupted this way many times … and only voices could be heard,” one viewer said.

Information Department Director Information Anusha Pelpita said a letter was sent last month by the Presidential Secretariat to all media institutions informing them to strictly adhere to the provisions of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act.

However only Capital Maharaja channels have opted to resort to this tactic – blacking out parts – while other channels say their movies don’t have such scenes.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Act enacted in December 2006 bans alcohol and tobacco advertisement in the media or billboards as well as free distribution of tobacco or alcohol related products by the manufacture or the distributor as a means of promotion.