Sindh High Court upholds ban on tobacco products advertisements

Islamabad: The Sindh High Court has upheld ban on tobacco advertisements throughout Pakistan.

The legislation on ban on advertisements of tobacco products was challenged in Sindh High Court by M/s Philip Morris (Pakistan), a major tobacco manufacturer. However, last week, the Sindh High Court disposed of the petition challenging ban on advertisements of tobacco products in print, electronic an outdoor media.

The divisional bench of Sindh High Court comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Abdul Malik Gaddi allowed a request by Abdul Sattar Pirzada advocate, counsel for the petitioner to withdraw the petition. It is significant to mention that Philip Morris (Pakistan) had also challenged the legality and authority of the federal government to regulate tobacco control in the country. In accordance with the SRO issued by Ministry of Health, no tobacco or tobacco product advertisement is allowed in the print, electronic and outdoor media. Moreover, posters of tobacco products outside the shops, kiosks have also been banned. By giving an undertaking in court, Phillip Morris agreed to dismantle tobacco product advertisement in two weeks’ time.