Ramadoss says liquor, tobacco lobby targeting him

Chennai, May 17: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said that liquor and tobacco lobby was targeting him by unleashing false propaganda.

He told reporters that his stand against liquor and tobacco had earned the wrath of these industrialists and they had singled him out for his stand.

Ramadoss said his stand on social justice had made the anti-reservationists to turn against him.

Appearing undaunted over sharp reactions from Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan for his advice, Ramadoss said: "I am not against Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan, who had come out against me for tirade against tobacco and liquor."

"In fact, they are brand ambassadors for the Health Ministry's programmes. I want to know whether films will not run without smoking and drinking scenes," he added.

Defending his campaign, Ramadoss, however, reeled out figures, stating that 14.1 per cent of school going children had become tobacco addicts and that was mainly because they were attracted to smoking due to actors' smoking scenes in the films.

Liquor consumption had also gone up in the country, spoiling the youth. This was also due to drinking scenes in the films, he said.


Copyright Asian News International