The war of words between Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan continued with the Minister saying he did not want children to take up smoking or drinking in imitation of the actor doing it on screen.

"I don't want that because of Mr Amitabh Bachchan millions of children take up smoking or take up alcohol and all that," Ramadoss told in a television interview.

The Minister was reacting to Bachchan having hit out at him for his "overzealous" campaign to stop drinking by actors, saying the latter should first try to ban this dreaded habit among all government servants.

"He is the brand ambassador for polio. Because of him millions of women were taking their children for polio drops. We appreciate that," Ramadoss said referring to the star's influence. He said his idea was that the issue (of smoking and drinking) should not be glamorized.