Tobacco Stall Controversy Mars Ziro Music Festival, Closed After Protest

GUWAHATI: The much-anticipated Ziro Music Festival, known for celebrating music, culture, and sustainability since its inception in 2012, kicked off this year amidst a cloud of controversy. Attracting over 15,000 attendees from across India and the globe, the festival has long been a platform for showcasing indigenous talent and indie music. However, this year’s event sparked outrage over its decision to allow the sale and promotion of tobacco products, seemingly contradicting the festival’s eco-friendly ethos.

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The festival, which took place from September 26 to 29, saw the installation of a smoking lounge sponsored by Philip Morris India. This lounge allowed the sale, promotion, and consumption of tobacco products, with only Marlboro cigarettes available for purchase. The presence of this lounge quickly drew criticism from various corners, particularly due to its conflict with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, which strictly prohibits the advertising of tobacco products, a law that is also enforced in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

On September 26, GPlus broke the story, revealing the growing discontent among local communities, NGOs, and public health advocates about the smoking lounge at the Ziro Festival. Concerns primarily centered on the festival’s perceived failure to uphold its commitment to sustainability, while promoting a substance that poses significant public health risks. Critics argue that the festival's organizers not only violated legal norms but also jeopardized the well-being of youth attending the event.

"This is a blatant disregard for the law and a threat to the health of our youth," stated a local activist. "The festival organisers have failed to live up to their commitment to sustainability and community well-being." Public health experts echoed these concerns, highlighting the impact of tobacco marketing, especially on younger audiences.

On September 27, the Apatani Youth Association (AYA) and Apatani Students’ Union (ASU) filed a police complaint calling for immediate action against the festival organizers. The complaint accused the Ziro Music Festival of violating Section 6 of the COTPA Act, which prohibits direct or indirect advertising of tobacco products. In a strongly worded statement, the organisations condemned the festival for promoting psychotropic substances and undermining their efforts to eradicate harmful practices in the community.

GPlus team visited the police station in Lower Subansiri district on the same day, where a senior official confirmed that steps had been taken to address the issue. "The matter has been resolved after discussions with the organisers, and the advertisements have been taken down," the official said.

The controversy took another turn on September 28, when Toko Sheetal, a representative from the Gana Suraksha Party, filed a formal complaint against the organisers, accusing them of allowing the illegal promotion of Marlboro, a foreign tobacco company. In the complaint, Sheetal highlighted the contradiction between the festival’s mission to promote sustainability and its decision to host a tobacco lounge. The complaint further detailed the organisers’ agreement with Philip Morris India, under which a 1,600 sq. ft. space was allotted to the company in exchange for sponsorship.

As the situation escalated, festival-goers and local authorities continued to press for action. On September 29, after several complaints, the smoking lounge was finally shut down by the police, marking a victory for those who opposed the tobacco promotion.