Pierce Brosnan says pan masala brand 'cheated' and 'kept him in the dark' about hazardous nature of the product
In a written reply to the Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell, Pierce Brosnan stated that he got cheated by the company as the latter did not disclose the hazardous nature of the product.

Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan, who ran into rough weather with his appearance in a surrogate advertisement of an Indian pan masala brand, has stated that he was "cheated" by the company which kept him in the dark about the "hazardous" nature of the product.
"In a written reply to the Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell, the actor stated that he got cheated by the company as the latter did not disclose the hazardous nature of the product and other terms and conditions of the contract of advertisement," Additional Director (Health) S K Arora told PTI.
The Delhi government had recently issued a show-cause notice to Brosnan and asked the pan masala group why appropriate punitive action be not initiated against its directors and office-bearers.
"In his reply to the legal notice, Brosnan also said that his agreement with the company was over and he was ready to extend all kinds of support and cooperation to our department against such campaigns. He has given an undertaking in writing that he would never assist any company with regard to promotion of such products or other such harmful products in future," Arora said.
The official appealed to all celebrities and mass media agencies to not indulge in surrogate advertisements of tobacco in the name of pan masala, tea, ilaichi or other goods as these are prohibited under section 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
"Celebrities must realise their responsibility towards society, especially the youngsters who treat them like God and follow them blindly. Such advertisements influence the minds of youngsters adversely," he said.
The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act, 2003 bans all kinds of direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products.
also read

Top Gun and Tom Cruise return to the danger zone after 36 years
Tom Cruise starrer Top Gun: Maverick is set to hit the screens on 27 May. It is directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Cannes 2022: With COVID crisis waning, film gala gently descends on the French riviera
After successfully braving the global pandemic with a near-normal festival last year, Cannes film festival is back on the Croisette in 2022, celebrating its 75th year

Thor: Love and Thunder trailer out now; Have a look
The hugely awaited trailer of Marvel Studios' Big Ticket Cosmic Adventure Thor: Love and Thunder is out now!