The naming of public transport stations after products such as “Rajnigandha Silver Pearls” or “Bolo Zubaan Kesari” has triggered serious ethical and legal questions. Critics argue that such branding risks violating Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits tobacco advertising in public places.

Public transport hubs are among the country’s highest footfall zones, frequented daily by children, students and working professionals. Health advocates warn that placing tobacco-linked brand names on station signboards normalises consumption and subtly promotes products like gutka and pan masala, especially among impressionable youth.

India already records over one million deaths annually due to tobacco-related illnesses, including oral cancer, heart disease and respiratory disorders. Public health experts caution that associating addictive products with civic infrastructure undermines decades of anti-tobacco campaigns and awareness drives.

Critics maintain that such deals cannot be justified as mere “branding revenue.” Instead, they argue that authorities must prioritise health over commercial gains.

They are calling for immediate corrective steps: removal of all tobacco-related branding from stations, strict enforcement of COTPA provisions, transparent accountability from approving authorities, and promotion of health-positive partnerships instead.

The larger message remains clear—public spaces should safeguard citizens, not serve as platforms for products linked to addiction and disease.