The government of India has proposed to alter the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Reportedly, the draft proposes extremely rigorous penalties compared to previous laws.
According to a report by Money Control, Advertisements that promote pharmaceutical products for fairness of skin, deafness, improvement of height, hair loss or greying, obesity, among others may face fines up to Rs 50 lakh and imprisonment up to five years.
Under the newest law proposed, a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and up to two years’ imprisonment has been proposed in the case of the first offense.
In the case of a subsequent conviction, imprisonment may extend to five years and the fine, up to Rs 50 lakh.
Be it India or Pakistan, the obsession with fair skin in the subcontinent has been present for decades now.
To date, ads on tv (and print) that promote fairness of skin, improvement of height, hair loss or greying, obesity, infertility are still aired.
Many celebrities have also called out brands for promoting fair skin such as Laal Kabootar’s actress, Mansha Pasha.
A local brand used Mansha’s picture to promote their fairness cream.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below.
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