CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE

Registered under Public Charitable Trust – No. E3320 – Ahmedabad _Recognised Research Institute_Non-Profit Orgn.
507 – 508, 5Th Floor, Sakar – 2, Next to Ellisbridge Police Station, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380006. (INDIA),
Phone: (079) 68 18 16 00, 28, 29Email:cerc@cercindia.org Website:

Press Release
AMID PANDEMIC, AD CLAIMS AC EASIER ALTERNATIVE THAN BREATHING
EXERCISES FOR HEALTHIER LUNGS. CERC ASKS CCPA TO ACT

5th May 2021

As the pandemic rages on relentlessly throughout the country, we see false claims being made,
especially on the social media, regarding ways to prevent Covid and, also its treatment. Whilst
till some time back these revolved mostly around home remedies like steam inhalation and using
methylene blue as a ‘wonder liquid’, with the situation getting graver we also see increased
number of claims being made about machines that deliver pure air after destroying the virus, and
such other appliances. Some of these have been going around on social media for more than a
year now. However, what is worrying is that some of these have also found a way through
mainstream media in recent weeks. CERC (Consumer Education and Research Association) has
filed a complaint to CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority), against the advertisement
of Haier AC that was recently released on leading television channels nationwide.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl7ZAusKvZ8)

The CCPA has been constituted under the new Consumer Protection Act 2019, which has
empowered the Authority to tackle advertisers making misleading claims. This Act (CPA 2019)
aims to provide stronger protection to consumers, and also seeks to be more holistic with stricter
rules, including jail term for unfair trade practices like adulteration and misleading ads by firms.

Haier AC ad shows that doing simple exercises such as breathing and pranayama is “the hard
way to keep your lungs healthy” while its new AC with dual clean technology is an easier way to
keep lungs healthy. “CERC has always been active in spotting such misleading ads, reporting
them to CCPA, ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) and other Regulators, and getting
them withdrawn. This Air conditioner ad is grossly misleading. A self-clean technology of an
AC cannot be compared to the benefits of breathing exercises for the lungs. It is not only
irresponsible but also alarming as it might give people false sense of security when they are
indoors.” says Uday Mawani, CEO, CERC.

The ad was released in the second week of April with Covid numbers reaching new highs every
day, and we believe it aims to influence the vulnerable consumer, already terrified by the
pandemic and willing to buy any and all solutions that seem to hold half a promise. Such
situations promote quackery and fakery. A senior executive of the said AC company is quoted as
saying on an advertising and marketing web portal, ‘The idea behind this TVC is to establish a
unique connection with our consumers and highlight the importance of clean air inside homes
 CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE
Registered under Public Charitable Trust – No. E3320 – Ahmedabad _Recognised Research Institute_Non-Profit Orgn.
507 – 508, 5Th Floor, Sakar – 2, Next to Ellisbridge Police Station, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380006. (INDIA),
Phone: (079) 68 18 16 00, 28, 29Email:cerc@cercindia.org Website:

especially in these challenging times of the pandemic’. (https://www.adgully.com/haier-india-

introduced-uvclean-pro-air-conditioner-with-tvc-102768.html)

The second wave of the Coronavirus has put the lives of all Indians on a hold. All that people are
thinking about is their and their loved ones’ health. In such a situation, claims like the ones made
in the advertisement grossly mislead the consumers.  In recent times we have come across
advertisements that promise upto 99% protection against corona. CERC has questioned some of
such advertisements writing to CCPA, ASCI and FDCA (Food and Drugs Control
Authority). Based in Ahmedabad, CERC is India’s foremost consumer awareness, protection and
advocacy organization. It has recently got two misleading ads of biscuits about false health
claims withdrawn.

For more information please contact Ketan Vadaria on 9825015161, ketanvadaria@gmail.com