We reported yesterday that Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss had requested to Vijay to avoid smoking on screen. Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay has responded positively to the appeal. “I will not act in smoking scenes anymore”, says Vijay.

Vijay, who is currently shooting for Kuruvi near Chennai, has said that he would not act in scenes, which would demand the hero to smoke on the screen.

The minister had urged the actor to stay away from smoking on screen. The minister said, “The actor has huge fan following with youngsters and children admiring him a lot”. Hence, Vijay, Dr. Anbumani said, should not set a bad example for them by acting in such scenes.

Vijay immediately accepted his request. “Since I played a role with negative shade in 'Azhagiya Thamizh Magan', I had to smoke on screen. However I would ensure not to repeat the same again” he said.

It was a healthy move by the minister to make a request instead of trying to force his opinion through enacting a law. It is a commendable response from the leading hero for an appeal with noble intentions. It could well become a positive precedence for others as well.