ZIRO (Arunachal Pradesh): The much-anticipated Ziro Music Festival got off to a start on Thursday, September 26 amidst a raging controversy.
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The festival, which began in 2012, aims to celebrate music, culture, and sustainability.
Drawing over 15,000 attendees from across India and the globe, the festival showcases indigenous artistes and indie music, making it a prominent event on the cultural calendar. However, the festival is now facing scrutiny due to its handling of tobacco sales and usage.
Amidst claims of promoting an eco-friendly environment, this year's festival has stirred up concerns with its decision to permit smoking in "restricted designated" areas. This includes the establishment of a lounge specifically for the sale, promotion and consumption of tobacco products, which critics argue contradicts the festival’s sustainable ethos. The smoking lounge has been set up by Philip Morris India under the brand 'Marlboro', with the sponsorship arrangement with the organisers where only their brands of cigarettes will be sold.
This move is in direct violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003 and the laws of Arunachal Pradesh, which strictly prohibit tobacco advertising.
The smoking lounge has been observed promoting Marlboro cigarettes, leading to accusations that the festival is inadvertently encouraging tobacco use among youth and adolescents.
Local communities, NGOs, and government officials have expressed their concern over the implications of these provisions, highlighting the risk posed to public health, particularly among younger attendees. The legality of allowing tobacco sales and advertisements in a space categorised as "Smoking lounge cum Cigarette shop" raises further questions about the festival's compliance with existing regulations.
“This is a blatant disregard for the law and a threat to the health of our youth," said a local activist. "The festival's organisers have failed to uphold their commitment to sustainability and community well-being,” said the activist.
"The presence of Marlboro at the festival is a clear violation of COTPA guidelines," explained advocate Ajoy Hazarika, who is also an anti-tobacco activist and Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum.
Festival organisers are yet to comment on the controversy.
The nodal officer of tobacco control programme in Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Biman Natung, talking to GPlus said, “The stall and branding of a brand inside the stall is definitely a violation of COPTA guidelines,” adding he will call the local administration and make sure that the stall is removed.
Local authorities and anti-tobacco organisations are urging the festival organisers to address these concerns immediately.
"We demand that the organisers remove the lounge and enforce strict anti-smoking measures," said a representative from a local anti-tobacco group. "The health and well-being of our youth must be prioritised."
As the festival unfolds, it remains to be seen how organisers will address these concerns and whether this controversy will overshadow the celebration of music and culture that Ziro has come to represent.
