Crackdown continues against violators of anti-tobacco law

Islamabad
In a raid conducted in F-11 Markaz on Monday evening, a fine of Rs50,000 was imposed on a sheesha centre for violating tobacco control laws. The assistant commissioner of Shalimar sub-division of Islamabad Capital Territory Syed Jawad Muzaffar, who imposed the penalty, also supervised the raid conducted by the law-enforcement agencies.
The sheesha centre was booked for offering tobacco and sheesha smoking at a public place in violation of Section 5 of the Prohibition of Smoking & Protection of Non-Smokers’ Health Ordinance, 2002. The raiding team also confiscated the sheesha pipes.
In addition to the sheesha centre, a super store and a leading pharmacy in F-11 Markaz were also fined Rs5,000 each for selling smuggled cigarettes and violating the tobacco advertisement guidelines enshrined in the law. The smuggled products were confiscated.
The district administration has planned an area-wise implementation strategy to check illicit tobacco trade and illegitimate sale to minors near educational institutions, besides curbing smoking in public places and public service vehicles.
Dr. Minhaj-us-Siraj, the project director of ‘Tobacco Smoke-Free Capital,’ an initiative of the Capital Administration and Development Division, valued the priority rendered by the district administration to tobacco control efforts in the capital. He said, protection of the public from the ill-effects of tobacco on health is the prime objective of this activity. The smoke-free project of Islamabad, he said, will be replicated this year in 10 major cities of all the four major provinces.