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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/21/pierce-brosnan-apologises-over-indian-ad-for-shunned-chewing-mixture
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| Pierce Brosnan apologises over Indian ad for shunned chewing mixture | Pierce Brosnan apologises over Indian ad for shunned chewing mixture |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Irish actor Pierce Brosnan has apologised to the people of India for the “unauthorised and deceptive use” of his image in an advertising campaign for a chewing mixture that sometimes contains tobacco. | The Irish actor Pierce Brosnan has apologised to the people of India for the “unauthorised and deceptive use” of his image in an advertising campaign for a chewing mixture that sometimes contains tobacco. |
| A heavily bearded Brosnan appeared on the front page of Indian national newspapers and TV advertisements earlier this month to promote pan masala, a preparation that can contain tobacco, lime, spices and nuts. | A heavily bearded Brosnan appeared on the front page of Indian national newspapers and TV advertisements earlier this month to promote pan masala, a preparation that can contain tobacco, lime, spices and nuts. |
| The product – use of which has been known to increase the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers – is expectorated in red bursts across Indian streets and sidewalks. | The product – use of which has been known to increase the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers – is expectorated in red bursts across Indian streets and sidewalks. |
| After an uproar – including from the Indian government, which has banned pan masala advertising – the company clarified that the specific variety Brosnan was promoting contained neither tobacco nor nicotine. | After an uproar – including from the Indian government, which has banned pan masala advertising – the company clarified that the specific variety Brosnan was promoting contained neither tobacco nor nicotine. |
| But at least one of the varieties does contain supari, a kind of nut considered by the World Health Organisation to be carcinogenic. | But at least one of the varieties does contain supari, a kind of nut considered by the World Health Organisation to be carcinogenic. |
| The advertisements have been pulled from television. | The advertisements have been pulled from television. |
| Brosnan said on Friday he was “deeply shocked and saddened” that his image was used to promote a potentially harmful product. “I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one’s health,” he said in a statement to People Magazine. | |
| He said he had agreed to advertise a product that he was told was a “breath freshener/tooth whitener [and] all-natural, containing neither tobacco, supari, nor any other harmful ingredient”. | |
| “Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programmes that improve human health and alleviate suffering,” he said. | “Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programmes that improve human health and alleviate suffering,” he said. |
| Brosnan also claimed the company, Pan Bahar, had “grossly manipulated” the advertising campaign to suggest the former James Bond star endorsed its entire product line, “in violation of my contract”. | Brosnan also claimed the company, Pan Bahar, had “grossly manipulated” the advertising campaign to suggest the former James Bond star endorsed its entire product line, “in violation of my contract”. |
| “I shall endeavour to rectify this matter,” he said. “In the meantime please accept my sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all whom I have offended.” | “I shall endeavour to rectify this matter,” he said. “In the meantime please accept my sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all whom I have offended.” |
| His initial appearance in the advertisements drew derision on social media and his apology earned the same treatment. | His initial appearance in the advertisements drew derision on social media and his apology earned the same treatment. |
| "Pan Bahar's a tooth whitener"Pierce Brosnan: "Okay"*points to an electricity pole* "...and that's the Qutub Minar"Pierce: "Beautiful" | "Pan Bahar's a tooth whitener"Pierce Brosnan: "Okay"*points to an electricity pole* "...and that's the Qutub Minar"Pierce: "Beautiful" |
| No no no. Pierce was only demonstrating how to eat Pan bahar. Chew chew and spit. A true brand ambassador. #PanBahar #pankhaayebondwahumaar | No no no. Pierce was only demonstrating how to eat Pan bahar. Chew chew and spit. A true brand ambassador. #PanBahar #pankhaayebondwahumaar |
| So Pierce Brosnan didnt knew what he was selling by promoting Pan Bahar. Maybe he thought it was Indian version of M&Ms | So Pierce Brosnan didnt knew what he was selling by promoting Pan Bahar. Maybe he thought it was Indian version of M&Ms |