Well known actor Arshad Warsi, who played 'Circuit' in 'Munnabhai M. B. B. S.' and its popular sequel 'Lage Raho Munnabhai', is at the receiving end of a 'Gandhigiri' lecture.

The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), in a letter to Warsi Friday, censured him for smoking in an educational institution in south Goa in a film shoot together with co-actor Tusshar Kapoor.

"The photograph showing you signing autographs with a cigarette in hand and surrounded by young girls was given wide publicity by the press in Goa. It shows that many film personalities like you have scant respect for the law prohibiting smoking in public places," NOTE general secretary Shekhar Salkar stated in his letter.

The NOTE, which has in the past dragged Bollywood stars Big B and SRK to court for directly or indirectly promoting smoking, also suggested Warsi to give up smoking to "improve" his physical condition.

"You are advised not to smoke because it will improve your health and also it will prevent a number of young people from starting to smoke," the letter addressed to Warsi's residence in Mumbai stated.

The group asked Arshad to show respect towards the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COPTA).

Since Warsi was not available, the principal of Chowgule college in Margao, 35 km from here, had to pay the fine under COPTA for permitting smoking in his institute. (With Inputs from Agencies)