SRK trampling anti-tobacco laws, says watchdog

India's premier anti-tobacco watchdog, NOTE has expressed concern over superstar Shahrukh Khan's arrogant behaviour with which he time and again decides to  ''trample'' the law and smoke in public places.

"My main grievance is his arrogant demeanour with which he time and again decides to trample the law and smoke in places where he can be viewed and emulated by thousands of viewers when he can smoke privately," Shekhar Salkar, General Secretary, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), told PTI.

Salkar said that Shahrukh's recent smoking in a stadium at Rajasthan during IPL, indicates 'his careless attitude towards his responsibilities as an influential personality.'

Recommending tobacco eradication counseling for the filmstar, NOTE has said that smoking is a very powerful addiction and inspite of he repeatedly stating his desire to quit it, he hasn't been able to kick the butt.

"In my personal opinion he would never be able to because of his all knowing haughty persona," Salkar said.

NOTE, in past, had filed a case against megastar Amitabh Bachchan for promoting smoking through posters of his movie 'Family'. The superstar had admitted his mistake and assured not to repeat it.

"A similar incident happened with Ajay Devgan in Goa and after sending him a letter by NOTE, he was very gracious in accepting his mistake and his recent visits to Goa have not seen him smoking in public," he said.

Responding to a question whether celebrities should be fined more than general public for violating anti-tobacco laws, Salkar said, "morally it looks ethical and feasible but we live in a democratic country in which each citizen is considered as equal."