Brosnan: I was tricked into selling ‘cancer’ chewing mix

PIERCE BROSNAN has claimed he was “manipulated” into starring in a James Bond-style advert for an Indian chewing product linked to mouth cancer.

Adverts in several Indian newspapers showed a tuxedo-wearing Brosnan holding a tin of pan masala – a herbal mixture popular in Asia.

The campaign and its star were swiftly criticised for promoting the highly addictive product.

But Brosnan said that he had been told the product was a harmless tooth whitener. “I was distressed to learn of [the product] Pan Bahar’s unauthorised and deceptive use of my image,” the actor said.

The campaign had already drawn ridicule for its unsubtle spoof of the James Bond films.

In an open letter to Brosnan, Pankaj Chaturvedi, an Indian cancer surgeon, asked: “Why did you choose to promote oral cancer? Your promotional video must have caused many youths to take up this addiction that they will find difficult to quit subsequently.”

In his statement to People magazine on Thursday, Brosnan said his contract had stipulated he would advertise only a “breath freshener/tooth whitener” containing no harmful ingredients.

While many types of pan masala also contain tobacco, Pan Bahar, the specific product Brosnan promoted, does not. However, critics allege it has been used to circumvent India’s advertising ban on associated tobacco products.

Brosnan himself has been personally affected by cancer, having lost his first wife and daughter to ovarian cancer. He said he had asked the company to remove his image from all products.

Vikash Shukla, head of marketing for the manufacturer Ashko & Co, said there was “some confusion” the firm was trying to resolve.