Sanjay Dutt to stop endorsing tobacco products

Sources close to the actor said Dutt had read newspaper reports about doctors asking him to stop endorsing gutkha products in a letter.

"He had not received any such letter. But, he made up his mind to do so. He will not renew his contract with the gutkha brand," they said.

According to the sources, Dutt is also trying to quit smoking.

"He would like to set an example for his kids. He has decided to stop using and endorsing products that are considered bad for health. However, all this will happen slowly, as there is also his existing contract with the gutkha company to consider," they said.

"The actor has realised that young and impressionable minds can be influenced adversely through these brand promotions. He is planning to take corrective measures soon," they added.

Doctors organisations had last week written a letter to the actor asking him to stop endorsing gutkha and tobacco.

The letter said the actor had witnessed pain of cancer in his family and hence should disassociate himself from addictive and lethal substances.

The doctors had reminded the actor of his influence on young impressionable minds and also urged him to consider his late father Sunil Dutt`s campaign against cancer.

Meanwhile, city doctors have welcomed Dutt`s positive response to their request.

"It means a lot to us that he has been influenced by our campaign. We hope more and more people are motivated to kick the tobacco habit," said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, associate professor, head and neck cancer department, Tata Memorial hospital.