Even as the Indian film industry debates the central government's ban on smoking in films, its biggest icon Amitabh Bachchan has been served a legal notice for featuring on billboards with a cigar in his hand.

Shekar Salkar, a Goa-based cancer surgeon, served the notice for promos of Bachchan's movie "Family" that feature him with a cigar.

The star was given eight days to reply.

Salkar, who is secretary of the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), has served a similar notice to Goa Police under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003.

Earlier, NOTE issued advertisements in newspapers in Goa bringing to light the alleged violation of the smoking ban by Bachchan in the publicity campaign for "Family", launched here during Christmas.

This prompted the removal of hoardings for the film Jan 1, Salkar said.

"Bachchan, being the icon that he is in India, is bound to have an indelible influence on youth," Salkar told IANS.

"This was the only consideration that prompted us to act and serve him the notice."