Sachin Tendulkar, who has been an inspiring ad icon for nearly three decades, today said that he as brand ambassador has never tried to promote tobacco and alcohol.

“One thing my father told me try not to promote tobacco and alcohol. So those are the two things I stayed away from,” he said at the final day of a three-day summit organised by International Advertising Association (India chapter) here as part of its silver jubilee celebrations.

Sharing his experience as a sportsman, Tendulkar advised youngsters “don’t give up” till they achieve their goals.

“There were number of challenges, when I played cricket. Then I tried to find solutions with the help of the people I trusted. And that is what my advise would be.

“Yes, some times I feel that I have really really tried hard, and it just not happened and take a step back. Actually, take one more step further and success would be yours. I would encourage you to take that extra step…when you think that it is time to give up. Don’t give up,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP said there are no shortcuts in achieving goals in one’s life. “Literally doesn’t matter what you are in life, but whatever field you choose to be then in that field, you cannot find short-cuts,” he said.

Participating in an interview session at the summit, Tendulkar said,”If your interested is playing cricket and scoring runs, you do that. But there are going to be challenges. Don’t shy away from challenges. Because in any profession you will find challenges.”

“Don’t think that in cricket if you find challenges, think of something else. You are going to find challenges there as well. Embrace those challenges and focus on solutions and not problems. And don’t take short-cuts,” he added.

Tendulkar Set an Example By Not Endorsing Tobacco or Alcohol

Early in his career, Sachin Tendulkar set an example by making a commitment to never endorse tobacco or alcohol. 

May 31 is celebrated across the globe as World No Tobacco Day and while many speak of Sachin Tendulkar’s credentials on the cricket pitch, one of his many heart-winning traits off the field has been his commitment to never endorse tobacco products or alcohol.

Tendulkar has been an icon for youngsters for more than three decades. During his playing days, he mesmerised the cricketing fraternity with his brilliant batting skills, inspiring many youngsters to take up the sport.

However, it’s not just his cricket accomplishments which have made him a global icon. It’s his off-field behaviour as well which has forced billions across the world to aspire to become like him. 

Sources close to the 47-year-old say multiple attempts by surrogate advertisers to rope him have failed during the course of the years. Even though companies started advertising under the garb of flavoured cardamom or pan masala and soda, the Master Blaster has refused to budge.

An alcohol brand had apparently approached his office soon after his retirement and was willing to offer a multi-year contract of Rs 20 crore to avail his services. However, Tendulkar stood his ground and was not ready to trade values for commercial benefit.

As we mark No Tobacco Day on Sunday, Tendulkar’s telling act of saying no to tobacco endorsements has silently supported the efforts of creating awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption.

“He awarded by Bharat Ratna and people look up to him. I am glad that he has set an example by never endorsing any tobacco or alcohol product throughout his cricketing career and not even after his retirement. Celebrities, actually, should not endorse any tobacco or alcohol brand as it affects many people,” he added.

Tendulkar had revealed the reason for this stance a little after his playing days while addressing the advertising community in 2015. “One thing my father told me… try not to promote tobacco and alcohol. So those are the two things I stayed away from,” he had said.

He could have made a fortune putting up logos of tobacco brands – but it would also have put cigarettes on the lips of several youngsters across Indian subcontinent and beyond. That is just not acceptable for the legend.

When Sachin Tendulkar Said No To Tobacco Ads

Even as Bollywood stars have gone on the backfoot for being seen endorsing tobacco products, Sachin Tendulkar, arguably one of the highest-profile celebrities in the country, has steadfastly avoided falling to the temptation of easy money. 

Even as Bollywood stars have gone on the backfoot for being seen endorsing tobacco products, Sachin Tendulkar, arguably one of the highest-profile celebrities in the country, has steadfastly avoided falling to the temptation of easy money.

Never once in his 32-year public life, including 24 years of playing career, did he associate himself with a product that could cause health hazards.  On more than one occasion, he was offered lucrative deals by such firms. But Tendulkar stood firm on his stand.

Most notably, during the 1996 World Cup, when the cricket economy was yet to see the boom, Tendulkar, the poster boy of Indian cricket then, played without a bat sponsor.

While some of his teammates had brands associated with tobacco flashed on their bats, he played the championship without branding in his willow. The title sponsor of that edition of the World Cup, held in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was sponsored by Wills, a tobacco brand.

In 2010, the UB Group reportedly offered him Rs 20 crore to endorse its products but the Master Blaster declined it following which the Maharashtra Government publicly praised him. State Minister for Social Justice Shivajirao Moghe lauded Tendulkar for setting the right example. 

“We appreciate Sachin that he is helping us indirectly in the de-addiction campaign run by the government and also setting up an example for others,” the Minister had said in a letter to Tendulkar.

“I expect that other famous personalities would also follow the footsteps of Sachin and make the society addiction-free,” Moghe had said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan once contemplated having Sachin as the face of the State’s anti-narcotics campaign.

“Sachin is a legend in his own field and has been bestowed the highest civilian honor of the country — the Bharat Ratna. You are more responsible for your deeds when people, especially the youth, look up to you and Sachin has stood up to that,” Raj Kamble, COO and founder of Famous Innovations, says.

Even in the IPL, when dozens of cricketers were roped in for the annual commercial that had a tagline “Oo La La La Le O”. Tendulkar refrained from participating in the campaign, the sole reason being the company running the ad produced alcohol.

Tendulkar could not be reached for a comment but he has often said of his father’s influence in shunning such product.

“I am glad how he has set an example by never endorsing any tobacco or alcohol product throughout his cricketing career and beyond that. This bears testimony to his commitment to society, at large,” says Kamble.

The celebrities in India are in a moral dilemma over embracing tobacco and alcohol brands with Akshay Kumar being the latest to face public ire. He had to issue an apology for being seen endorsing a tobacco product lately. “I’m sorry. I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and well-wishers,” the actor said after facing social media backlash.