Under fire from the film industry for his persistent advice to Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan not to act in movies with smoking and drinking screens, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday alleged that he was being targeted by the liquor and tobacco lobby by their unleashing false propaganda.  He also told the press meet here that his stand on social justice had made the anti-reservationists to turn against him.

Appearing undaunted over sharp reactions from Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, Ramadoss said: “I am not against them for coming out against me for my tirade against tobacco and liquor. In fact, they are brand ambassadors for the Health Ministry’s programmes.”

Film personalities like Sharmila Tagore criticised the minister for his comments.

Defending his campaign, Ramadoss, however, reeled out figures, stating that 14.1 per cent of school going children had become tobacco addicts and that was mainly because they were drawn by actors smoking in movies.
For similar reasons liquor consumption had also gone up in the country, he claimed.