London, July 21: The Chinese government has banned TV programs that introduce slimming and breast enlargement products following complaints by sufferers misled by the advertisements. The action by the state media watchdog was announced as the government tries to impose tighter regulation on one of the country's fastest growing industries.

The reason for the ban is being attributed to the scandal in which hundreds of women were disfigured by unsafe implants. The "magic gel" used in the implants leaked into the body and even caused flesh to rot.

An estimated 300,000 women had the gel inserted in varying forms of cosmetic surgery. The substance named hydrophilic polyacrylamide has been banned in the West following complaints.

Government figures estimate that the Chinese spend about 12 billion pounds a year on cosmetic surgery, which was banned until 25 years ago. Some television programmes even offer plastic surgery as prizes.

Breast implants are also very popular, costing up to 3,000 pounds, well within the budget of many of the rising middle classes, who believe that good looks and height are important when applying for jobs or seeking promotion.

"Recently, some medical organisations have exaggerated the results of the treatment provided, using experts and previous patients on television commercials to mislead others. The exaggeration of some breast enhancement and weight loss advertisements has violated consumers' rights and affected the social credibility of radio and television," the Telegraph quoted the circular issued by the government as saying.

A second major scandal was the sale of drugs which falsely promised to transfer weight from the hips to the breasts. (ANI)