KTCL's Pan Masala Advertisements Violate Tobacco Control Laws

Dec.07.2022

KTCL's advertising of pan masala on buses violates tobacco laws and bid specifications. Raises ethical and health concerns.

According to the National Tobacco Control Organisations, advertising for pan masala found on Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) buses has violated the 2003 Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) and the 1997 Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act.

Dr. Shekhar Salkar, the president of NOTE, has stated that the current advertisements on KTCL buses are a deliberate form of marketing strategy designed to showcase paan masala and mouth freshener products and indirectly promote smokeless tobacco.

The President emphasized that the KTCL vide NIT KTC/GM/22/315 invitation dated August 12, 2021, to hire advertising agents, contained provisions stating that any company found to be in violation of the regulations would be barred from having their advertisements displayed by the central government or acting against good morals or current legal regulations.

Salkar said that the paan masala/mouth freshener advertisement currently displayed on your bus not only violates the COTPA act but also goes against the bidding specifications set by your office. Additionally, he criticized the ad for being in poor taste and unethical.

Taking into account that children and young people under the age of 15 are the largest users of KTCL services in the state, the aforementioned indirect promotions of tobacco products that pose a risk of oral cancer and other diseases can also be considered a violation of child rights in Goa, according to a law passed in 2003.

2FIRSTS will continue to track updates on this topic, with further information available on the "2FIRSTSAPP". Scan the QR code below to download the app.

#Tobacco Control Plan

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

PMI Q3 2025 Earnings: Net Revenues Reach $10.85 Billion, Smoke-Free Products Account for 41% of Sales

PMI reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, underscoring the continued success of its smoke-free transformation. Net revenues rose 9.4% year-over-year to $10.85 billion, driven by robust growth in the smoke-free segment, which now accounts for 41% of total net revenues and over 42% of gross profit.Despite a 3.2% decline in cigarette shipments, combustible revenues climbed 4.3% thanks to strong pricing.

Oct.21

Sarawak Cabinet Approves Gradual Ban on Vape Products to Curb Rising Youth Use

The Sarawak Cabinet has agreed to implement a phased ban on vape products amid growing concern over rising use among youths. Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the move demonstrates the state’s firm commitment to safeguarding young people’s health and future.

Nov.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

The Spanish Nicotine Pouches Association (ABN) is officially launched, calling for a clear regulatory framework grounded in scientific evidence

The Spanish Nicotine Pouches Association (ABN) has launched in Madrid, uniting more than 40 companies to call for science-based, proportionate regulation. The group warns that a proposed 0.99 mg nicotine cap could amount to a de facto ban and introduces new voluntary industry standards in response.

Dec.03

Philip Morris International Fails to Invalidate British American Tobacco Unit’s Vape Patent

The European Patent Office’s Board of Appeal upheld British American Tobacco’s Nicoventures Trading Ltd. vape patent, rejecting Philip Morris International’s objections. The board ruled that the patent’s use of predefined heater activation parameters not based on user puffs was novel and valid.

Nov.10