Around 100,000 people die annually due to cigarette smoking in Pakistan. In addition, large numbers of smokers also suffer from various life-threatening diseases including lung cancer, bronchitis and other heart diseases.
It was in December 2016 that the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Service suggested that the sale of loose cigarettes should be banned. Last week, the authorities concerned banned the sale of loose cigarettes across the country. These efforts should be lauded. Many school- and college-going students are also addicted to smoking. It is hoped that the ban on the sale of loose cigarettes will help reduce the number of smokers.
Sheraz Ali
Turbat