Non-skippable’ Anti-Tobacco Ad: New Regulations for OTT Platforms

Context: The Health Ministry has proposed new regulations requiring mandatory 30-second non-skippable anti-tobacco advertisements on OTT platforms. These rules, set to apply from September 1, 2023, will cover all films—Indian and foreign—released after that date. The proposal builds on amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, aimed at enhancing public health awareness.

Key Features:

• Mandatory Ads: Every film on OTT platforms must display a 30-second anti-tobacco ad before it starts, preventing viewers from skipping it.
• Content Blocking: Under Section 67 of the IT Act, the government retains the power to block content that is deemed harmful to public interest or national security.

Increased Regulatory Scrutiny:

• Non-Compliance Consequences: Continuous failure to adhere to the new regulations may result in stricter oversight, including mandatory audits or operational restrictions imposed by regulatory bodies.